In July 2002 the Combat Studies Institute (CSI) was reconstituted
and given a new charter by the US Army Training and Doctrine
Command (TRADOC) commander, General John Abrams. One of the three
missions outlined in that charter is to conduct original,
interpretive research on historical topics pertinent to the current
doctrinal concerns of the US Army. Having published some 10 works
in the intervening two years, CSI is now poised to initiate a new
series addressing important facets of the Global War on Terrorism.
Lieutenant Colonel Louis DiMarco's Traditions, Changes, and
Challenges: Military Operations and the Middle Eastern City is the
first in that series called Occasional Papers. The Middle East is
one of the most urbanized regions of the world, and growth
continues at an unprecedented rate. With operations ongoing in the
Middle East today, it is fitting that this inaugural study should
focus on military aspects of the urban areas of that region. There
is an undoubted need for US military planners to possess a solid
foundation of military history, cultural awareness, and an
understanding of the intricacies of city design and function in
this critical region. Each conflict brings its own challenges and
dynamics. The challenges of a Middle Eastern fight require decisive
involvement in that region's cities. The enemy is adaptive-we must
be adaptive as well. This call to study and understand history and
culture is the first step along that road to critical thinking and
adaptability. The purpose of this work is to examine the major
features of the Middle Eastern city and evaluate the military
significance of those features. It intends to serve as a starting
point for military professionals, particularly commanders and key
staff officers at the Army battalion through corps level, planning
or conducting operations in the region. This study should provide
the context within which more detailed study, evaluation, and
observation can be conducted. Although this study is mindful of the
ongoing Operation IRAQI FREEDOM (OIF) fight, it was initiated
before OIF began and does not specifically reflect its area of
operations or lessons learned. This study emphasizes the
traditional aspects of the Middle Eastern city because those
features are most unique and distinct from western European and
North American city design with which military professionals are
familiar. In addition, the old city core is often the center of
religious activity and thus is disproportionately politically and
socially influential. The physical aspects of the traditional
Middle Eastern city are examined here in detail-mosques, suqs,
residences, and quarters. Also examined in some depth is the less
obvious relationship between the Islamic religion and the Middle
Eastern urban environment. How the modern Middle Eastern city has
changed from its traditional form and the challenges associated
with that rapid change are also covered in this study. These facets
of the old Middle Eastern city are examined by reference to
contemporary travel guides; academic works in the fields of Middle
East history, urban geography, history, architecture, and city
design; appropriate military manuals and publications; and
contemporary travel narratives. This work connects the description
of Middle Eastern city design to the conduct of full-spectrum
military urban operations. It does this through referencing
American and Israeli urban warfare experts, current Army and Joint
doctrine described in US Army Field Manual 3-06, Urban Operations
and Joint Publication 3-06, Joint Urban Operations, other relevant
official publications, and historical experiences. Although the
author did conduct limited travel in some of the region's urban
centers, circumstances require that this paper primarily rely on
open-source research. Finally, the reader should understand that
this work is a survey of general regional characteristics.
General
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