In 1973, Egyptian and Syrian forces launched a surprise attack on Israel. The attack took place on the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, Yom Kippur. They successfully caught Israel off guard and inflicted heavy casualties. Israel, with assistance, was eventually able to fight off the advances and secure a cease-fire, but only after great loss and destruction.
The Wilson Quarterly commented on this historical event.
Since its victory in the Six-Day War in 1967, Israel had been waiting for such an attack, and military and political leaders, including Prime Minister Golda Meir, were sure they could anticipate such a strike at least 48 hours ahead of time. After the war, citizens and politicians alike were left wondering, what happened?
BYU Geography Professor Perry Hardin may have an idea. He will deliver this year’s Martin B. Hickman Outstanding Scholar lecture on March 10th. The title of his address is “Failure of Leadership or Intelligence? The Yom Kippur Surprise Attack of 1973.”
Hardin was hired by the BYU Department of Geography in 1989 to begin a geographic information systems curriculum. He has taught at BYU for twenty-seven years minus a small detour in the private sector. During his time at BYU he has published articles in several peer-reviewed journals, authored several book chapters, and given many conference presentations. Hardin attended BYU as an undergraduate, stayed for a M.S. degree, and graduated from the University of Utah with a PhD in 1989. Currently he is finishing a Master’s degree in Intelligence Analysis from American Military University.
The Martin B. Hickman Outstanding Scholar lecture is held annually in honor of Martin B. Hickman, a former dean of the College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences. During his time as dean he played an instrumental role in the creation of significant research opportunities by establishing the Women’s Research Institute, the David M. Kennedy Center for International Studies and the Family Studies Center. The Martin B. Hickman Scholar Award was established to recognize a distinguished member of the college faculty who emulates Hickman’s example.
