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Toyotas and Terrorists: "Why are ISIS's trucks better than ours?" (2023)

airuniversity.af.edu

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Re: Toyotas and Terrorists: "Why are ISIS's trucks better than ours?" (2023)

#31

Post by xg15 »

netsharc wrote: post #17

Seems like the question is never answered. There's a lot of how the trucks get there, but not why they're better. (I skimmed it, the writing has too much emotional bait of "Look how evil they are! Don't forget, we're the good guys!"). Maybe it's survivor bias, the ones that are crap have been blown up by a Hellfire shot by a drone..

> the writing has too much emotional bait of "Look how evil they are! Don't forget, we're the good guys!"

I mean, that blog seems to be an official Air Force publication. I don't find it very surprising that an army blog (of any nation's military) would stick to that nation's official narrative and not veer into larger geopolitical questions.

Re: Toyotas and Terrorists: "Why are ISIS's trucks better than ours?" (2023)

#32

Post by pocksuppet »

gowld wrote: post #30
tomlockwood wrote: post #11

One of the books that influenced my thinking the most was The Accidental Guerilla by David Kilcullen where he posits that economic disadvantage drove a lot of people to insurgency. This article supports that. Worth a read!

Yes, humans do compete for resources.

Not the same thing.

Re: Toyotas and Terrorists: "Why are ISIS's trucks better than ours?" (2023)

#33

Post by gowld »

testing22321 wrote: post #5

Because the chicken tax keeps out great vehicles so the US automakers don’t have to compete. The hilux and 79 landcruiser are run of the mill workhorses in virtually every country in the world except the US and Canada. They run rings around the Tacoma and tundra. Tariffs and old world protectionism like the chicken tax are keeping the US automakers on life support, but they’re all doomed - they’re not even trying to…

In case you forgot after you read the article: the article talks about the US providing Hilux trucks to allies in the Middle East.

Re: Toyotas and Terrorists: "Why are ISIS's trucks better than ours?" (2023)

#34

Post by tomlockwood »

gowld wrote: post #30
tomlockwood wrote: post #11

One of the books that influenced my thinking the most was The Accidental Guerilla by David Kilcullen where he posits that economic disadvantage drove a lot of people to insurgency. This article supports that. Worth a read!

Yes, humans do compete for resources.

Go on?

Re: Toyotas and Terrorists: "Why are ISIS's trucks better than ours?" (2023)

#35

Post by londons_explore »

Stories like this always seem one-sided.

Can't a journalist or researcher find at least one person on the other side from back when this was done in ~2012 and interview them?

Sure, many will be reluctant to talk, and Afghanistan isn't exactly a stable place right now, but all it would take is a phone call to the right people...

Re: Toyotas and Terrorists: "Why are ISIS's trucks better than ours?" (2023)

#36

Post by logancbrown »

testing22321 wrote: post #5

Because the chicken tax keeps out great vehicles so the US automakers don’t have to compete. The hilux and 79 landcruiser are run of the mill workhorses in virtually every country in the world except the US and Canada. They run rings around the Tacoma and tundra. Tariffs and old world protectionism like the chicken tax are keeping the US automakers on life support, but they’re all doomed - they’re not even trying to…

The "protectionism" you cite is due to crash regulation and emissions standards.

Re: Toyotas and Terrorists: "Why are ISIS's trucks better than ours?" (2023)

#37

Post by hsbauauvhabzb »

themafia wrote: post #6

Why not deal with the cause of the terrorism? Are we really worried what vendor they get their trucks from?

> Are we really worried what vendor they get their trucks from?

There are for sure gun manufacturers that would love to sell terrorists guns, can car manufacturers that would sell terrorists cars. The harder they are to obtain, the less success the terrorists will have in their objectives.

Do you really think we shouldn’t care, understand or look to shut down supply chains?

Re: Toyotas and Terrorists: "Why are ISIS's trucks better than ours?" (2023)

#38

Post by themafia »

pavel_lishin wrote: post #8
themafia wrote: post #6

Why not deal with the cause of the terrorism? Are we really worried what vendor they get their trucks from?

> Why not deal with the cause of the terrorism? slaps forehead Why didn't I think of that!

What's the alternative. In a terrorist camp somewhere:

"Guys! We can't Toyota's anymore. I guess terrorism is over! Pack it up and go home!"

Sheesh.

Re: Toyotas and Terrorists: "Why are ISIS's trucks better than ours?" (2023)

#40

Post by cma256 »

netsharc wrote: post #17

Seems like the question is never answered. There's a lot of how the trucks get there, but not why they're better. (I skimmed it, the writing has too much emotional bait of "Look how evil they are! Don't forget, we're the good guys!"). Maybe it's survivor bias, the ones that are crap have been blown up by a Hellfire shot by a drone..

I can tell you precisely why foreign Toyotas (especially certain models) are more reliable that whats typically sold in the US. No electronics and parts which operate based on physics (pressure, gravity, etc). Both of these decisions lend themselves to a simple engine compartment and repairability.

In the US, you can buy a five-speed 4runner which is about the simplest engine available on the market. Has all the benefits enumerated above and its trivially repairable by DIYers. However, even the 4runner has annoying garbage which can fail.

Compare the newest 70 series Land Crusier in Japan to the US Land Cruiser (Prado). Difference is a v8 with no electronics and a 4 cylinder hybrid filled with electronics and a rats nest of tubes running across the top of the engine. Try working on that... Of course its get +20mpg compared to the Japanese version. I'm pretty sure the 70 series is 4 wheel drive always whereas the prado runs in 2 wheel drive but has a 4 wheel switch (more complexity -- better gas mileage).

Anyway, intangibles such as availability of parts and lower pricing makes scavenging more economical and increases life span.

Also, stability of the platform means there's lots of expertise that has developed over the past +30 years. Same design, same repairs, same parts. Makes things easy.

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