Through the Lens of Cultural Awareness

Through the Lens of

Cultural Awareness:

A Primer for US Armed Forces

Deploying to Arab and Middle

Eastern Countries

William D. Wunderle

Combat Studies Institute Press

Fort Leavenworth, KS 66027

Cover photo courtesy of US Army. Photo by TSgt Jeremy T. Lock, 22 June 2006.

Through the Lens of

Cultural Awareness:

A Primer for US Armed Forces

Deploying to Arab and Middle

Eastern Countries

William D. Wunderle

LTC, US Army

Combat Studies Institute Press

Fort Leavenworth, KS 66027

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publications Data

Wunderle, William D., 1962Through the lens of cultural awareness : a primer for U.S. Armed Forces

deploying to Arab and Middle Eastern countries / William D. Wunderle.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references.

1. United States--Armed Forces--Foreign service--Middle East-Handbooks, manuals, etc. 2. Military art and science--Cross-cultural

studies. 3. Arab countries--Social life and customs. 4. National

characteristics, Arab. 5. Cultural awareness--Study and teaching--United

States. I. Title. II. Title: Primer for U.S. Armed Forces deploying to Arab

and Middle Eastern countries.

UA26.A2W37 2006

335.4--dc22

2006038175

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office

Internet: bookstore. Phone: toll free (866) 512-1800; DC area (202) 512-1800

Fax: (202) 512-2250 Mail: Stop IDCC, Washington, DC 20402-0001

ISBN 0-16-077466-7

Foreword

This Combat Studies Institute (CSI) Special Study is unique in that

it focuses more on culture than on history. The CSI objective, however,

remains unchanged¡ªto provide manuscript length historical studies relevant to the leaders of an Army at War. We are, therefore, pleased to offer

Through the Lens of Cultural Awareness: A Primer for US Armed Forces

Deploying to Arab and Middle Eastern Countries by Lieutenant Colonel

(LTC) William D. Wunderle.

One of the distinguishing characteristics of the Long War, as the

Global War on Terrorism is now known, is the cultural environment in

which it is being fought. In truth, however, the US Army has routinely

operated in unfamiliar cultural environments throughout its long history.

The conditions in the Middle East today may be the most difficult in a very

long time, and the Army is making tremendous efforts to become more

effective. Among the key points the author makes in this study is the need

for leaders to understand how culture affects military operations.

This work also represents a slight departure from the norm for historical studies from CSI. As noted, it is not purely a work of history. This

study goes beyond our normal practice of offering insights from the past as

it offers specific policy prescriptions for tomorrow. LTC Wunderle briefly

touches on some of the historical roots of Iraqi and Middle Eastern culture, but he focuses primarily on cultural conditions in Iraq today. He also

presents ideas for modifying a number of the US Army¡¯s military decisionmaking processes and training programs.

Given the need for rapid action during wartime, we felt this departure

from the historical craft was justified and were eager to accept this manuscript, written while the author was completing an academic fellowship

for the Army, for publication. We at CSI believe this Special Study will

contribute significantly to the Army as it conducts operations in the Long

War. CSI¡ªThe Past is Prologue!

Timothy R. Reese

Colonel, Armor

Director, Combat Studies Institute

iii

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