Culture and Conflict in the Middle East

• Author: Major J Nelson
• Pages: 09

CULTURE AND CONFLICT IN THE MIDDLE EAST1

REVIEWED BY MAJOR J NELSON2

I against my brother; I and my brothers against my cousins; I and my brothers and my cousins against the world.3

The primary objective of any COIN operation is to foster development of effective governance by a legitimate government.4

1. Introduction

   In Culture and Conflict in the Middle East, Carl Salzman effectively argues that his theory of "balanced opposition" undergirds social order in the Arab Middle East.5 Drawing from various anthropologists who have studied nomadic tribes in the Middle East,6 as well as from his own ethnography of the Yrahmadzai tribe in Iran,7 Salzman's theory is intriguing on two fronts. First, to the casual reader the theory of balanced opposition offers a persuasive, predictable reason as to why and how, either individually or collectively, Middle Eastern Arabs will react when an outside source encroaches on their security or their socioeconomic interests. Second, for the reader serving in the military, Salzman's theory fundamentally challenges the principle tenet of current Army and Marine Corps Counterinsurgency (COIN) doctrine.8 Although the author does not confront this doctrine in his book, after reading Culture and Conflict the military reader is left with the nagging, yet profound question, "can our current COIN doctrine 'work' in Iraq and Afghanistan?" Because Salzman argues that balanced opposition

   precludes the rule of law and constitutionalism9-factors under COIN doctrine that are essential for achieving legitimacy of the host-nation government10-Culture and Conflict does not leave the military reader overly optimistic about future operations in those countries.

2. Analysis

   1. General Thoughts

      Salzman uses nearly 200 pages of Culture and Conflict to define and argue for his theory of balanced opposition. Through historical examples,11 research conducted by other anthropologists,12 and his ethnographies,13 his analysis is systematic and persuasive. Nevertheless, the reader may find the book tedious because it reads like it was primarily written for students and scholars of Arab culture. Although Salzman adequately defines terms presumably understood by anthropologists and academics,14 and not intuitively understood by the military or casual reader, his substantively dense, academic writing style could potentially lose the reader's interest. Additionally, Salzman does not apply his theory of balanced opposition to the social and political future of Arab Middle Eastern countries until the last chapter of the book.15 Unfortunately, these two criticisms taken in tandem may cause the reader to overlook his theory's contemporary relevance to the current prosecution of overseas contingency operations.

   2. Balanced Opposition Described

      Salzman argues that balanced opposition is a system of social control based on tribal affiliation.16 As opposed to state authority, where the governed abdicate some of their individual rights to the polity, under the theory of balanced opposition, one is loyal to his tribe or kin group for

      two reasons.17 First, Salzman argues that pragmatically one believes strongly that he can only rely on those of his kin group to come to his aid, even at their risk of substantial material loss or loss of life.18

      Second, because honor is a central theme in Arab culture,19 one will strive to live up to his commitment to his kin group even at the expense of his short-term interests.20 If one fails in this respect, one has lost his honor and respect within his group and, consequently, members of his group will not partner with him in future endeavors.21

      Salzman also argues that the application of balanced opposition is an "ingenious" way to organize security.22 Because everyone is born into a specific kin group, and one's loyalty is to his group, everyone, in principle, is equal.23 Furthermore, the act of one group member can be attributed to any other member of that particular group.24 As...