Why Arabs Lose Wars By Norville de Atkine Abstract: The author argues that the reasons for Arab armies’ perpetual ineffectiveness are rooted in Arab culture. Social factors that prohibit success include: secrecy and paranoia, pride, class structure, a lack of coordination on all levels, and little individual freedom or initiative. Arabic-speaking armies have been generally ineffective in the modern era. Egyptian regular forces did poorly against Yemeni irregulars in the 1960s. (1) Syrians could only impose their will in Lebanon during the mid-1970s by the use of overwhelming weaponry and numbers. (2) Iraqis showed ineptness against an Iranian military ripped...