“PUSSYCATS: Why the Rest Keeps Beating the West.”

On the occasion of the reprint of his current book, “Pussycats”, Martin van Creveld, the Israeli military historian, took the time to hold a discussion with the FPÖ Education Institute.

The military expert explained why he believes that Europe and the entire Western world has become unable to defend itself and therefore allowed terror to take hold in the West. He established a link from parenting and politics, to media and the military, where he addressed the issue of women in the army. The world-famous Israeli military historian believes that the EU has not even succeeded in its primary governmental task: border control.

Mr van Creveld spoke of “overprotected children” who no longer learn to take responsibility, the “infantilisation of Western society”, which prevents young people from growing up, and the poor image of soldiers’ profession and uniform brought about by both the media and politics. Mr van Creveld was also very critical in noting a shift from citizens’ “duties” to their “rights”.

Conclusion: “Terror has arrived in Europe and our governments appear helpless against it.”

About the author and the book

Martin van Creveld is one of the most important military historians in the Western world. He is a retired Professor of History who formerly taught at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. His most recent publications released by Ares Verlag are: “Kampfkraft. Militärische Leistung und Organisation der deutschen und amerikanischen Armee 1939–1945” [“Fighting Power: German and US Army Performance, 1939–1945”], 5th edition, Graz 2016, “Kriegs-Kultur. Warum wir kämpfen: Die tiefen Wurzeln bewaffneter Konflikte” [“The Culture of War”], Graz 2011 and “Wir Weicheier. Warum wir uns nicht mehr wehren können und was dagegen zu tun ist”, translated from English by Claudia Tancsits, 2nd edition, 224 pages, hardcover, Graz 2017 (ISBN 978-3-902732-67-5). The original English title of the book is Pussycats: Why the Rest Keeps Beating the West.