INTEL 769

Military Strategy Paper: Comparative Analysis of Tartarian War Theory, Khazar War Theory, Turanic Hungarian Prehistory, and the Crusades

Introduction

The history of Eurasia, according to Tartarian War Theory, Khazar War Theory, and the Turanic Hungarian Prehistory narrative, tells of vast nomadic empires stretching from Hungary to the steppes of Central Asia, encompassing Finno-Ugric, Turkic, and Mongolic tribes. These shamanistic, nomadic warriors dominated for millennia, living in tents, singing folklore, and thriving on horseback as conquerors and traders. However, their history was forcibly rewritten after the Tartarian domination of Budapest in 1242, culminating in the reordering of European and Middle Eastern narratives through a lens influenced by religious texts like the Bible and the story of Jesus.

This paper draws parallels between the fall of this nomadic hegemony and the permanent state of conflict in Jerusalem during the Crusades. It delves into the strategic implications of the Tartarian conquest of Hungary and their rewriting of history, while also comparing it to the continuous conflict over Jerusalem. Rabbinical teachings on survival and the endurance of faith, especially in the face of the Crusades, provide critical insights into the nature of warfare, survival, and history itself.

Tartarian and Khazar War Theories: Nomadic Dominance and Collapse

The Turanic Hungarian prehistory narrative focuses on the ancient dominance of Eurasian nomadic tribes, such as the Hungarians, Khazars, and Tartars. These tribes, according to this theory, existed in a symbiotic relationship with the environment, mastering the art of survival on the harsh steppes for up to 200,000 years. Their mobile warfare strategies centered around light cavalry, archery, and swift tactical movements, which made them effective against more static agrarian empires.

However, by the time of the Tartarian invasion of Hungary in 1242, this dominance was challenged. The arrival of the Mongol-Tatar forces, under Batu Khan, reshaped the region’s power structure. The Battle of Mohi (1241) and the subsequent fall of Budapest represent a critical moment when nomadic military strategies adapted and merged with siege tactics, combining the flexibility of cavalry with the ability to overwhelm fortifications.

Strategic Lessons from the Tartarian Invasion:

1. Mobility and Adaptability: The nomadic strategy emphasized flexibility. The Tartarians moved swiftly across vast distances, but their eventual dominance over Budapest indicated a shift towards siege warfare—a blending of nomadic mobility with siege tactics.
2. Psychological Warfare: The Tartarian forces employed psychological warfare, relying on terror and reputation. Reports of their unstoppable nature spread across Europe, often demoralizing enemies before battle.
3. Imperial Restructuring: After the conquest, the Tartarians imposed a new historical order on the lands they dominated. This rewriting of history, including the inclusion of Christian narratives like the Bible and the story of Jesus in Hungarian chronicles, signifies the importance of controlling historical narrative in maintaining power.

Permanent War over Jerusalem: The Crusades

The Crusades (1095-1291) were a series of religious wars launched by European Christians to reclaim Jerusalem from Muslim control. Jerusalem’s status as a holy city to three major religions—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam—made it the focal point of a struggle that spanned centuries. Unlike the nomadic wars of the Eurasian steppes, the Crusades were framed as a religious duty, sanctified by the Pope and fueled by apocalyptic expectations.

However, much like the Tartarians’ reshaping of Hungarian history, the Crusades reshaped the spiritual and political landscape of the Middle East. Both the Crusaders and their Muslim opponents, especially the forces of Saladin, understood the significance of controlling not just territory, but the symbolic heart of their religions.

Strategic Lessons from the Crusades:

1. Religious Legitimization: The Crusades were as much about spiritual dominance as they were about military conquest. Controlling Jerusalem became a symbol of divine favor and legitimacy for the warring parties.
2. Endurance of Conflict: The permanent state of war over Jerusalem, much like the Tartarian domination of Hungary, illustrates how certain conflicts extend beyond tactical objectives and become embedded in the cultural and spiritual fabric of a society.
3. Cultural Influence on Warfare: Much as the Tartarians rewrote the history of Hungary, the Crusaders imported European feudalism and knightly codes to the Middle East. Warfare was not just about tactics; it was about exporting cultural and religious systems.

Rabbinical Reflections on Survival and Tragedy

Jewish scholars and rabbis have long reflected on the nature of survival, especially in the face of overwhelming tragedy. The Crusades, which devastated Jewish communities across Europe and the Middle East, left a profound impact on Jewish theology and thought. Rabbinical teachings during and after the Crusades can be applied to the broader Eurasian context of survival under conquest, especially as Jewish communities often found themselves caught between Christian and Muslim forces.

One particularly relevant teaching comes from Rabbi Moses Maimonides (Rambam), a towering figure during the time of the Crusades. He emphasized the need for spiritual resilience and the importance of focusing on internal growth rather than external validation:

“In times of sorrow and darkness, it is the heart’s duty to remain steadfast. It is through our trials that we draw closer to the Almighty.”

Maimonides’ views mirror the resilience of the nomadic tribes of Eurasia, who adapted to constant warfare, shifting alliances, and foreign domination. Both the Jews during the Crusades and the nomads of the steppe understood that survival often meant flexibility, patience, and a deep connection to cultural identity.

Rabbi Nachman of Breslov’s famous saying, “The whole world is a narrow bridge, and the important thing is not to be afraid,” speaks to the challenges faced by the nomadic peoples of Eurasia and the Jewish communities during the Crusades. Fearlessness in the face of overwhelming odds—whether on the battlefield or in matters of faith—was a critical element for survival.

Comparative Analysis: The Tartarian Invasion vs. the Crusades

Both the Tartarian invasion of Hungary and the Crusades share several common elements. Each conflict was about more than just military victory—it was about the reordering of political, cultural, and religious systems. The Tartarians, by imposing their narrative on Hungarian history, and the Crusaders, by claiming divine mandate over Jerusalem, demonstrate the critical role of history and religion in military strategy.

The key difference lies in the nature of warfare:

• The Tartarians, rooted in nomadic traditions, relied on mobility, adaptation, and psychological warfare.
• The Crusaders, on the other hand, employed a static form of warfare, relying on fortified positions and the backing of European powers.

However, both conflicts were protracted, drawn out over years, and defined not just by battle but by the imposition of cultural and religious identities.

Conclusion

The Tartarian invasion of Hungary and the Crusades over Jerusalem provide two contrasting yet intertwined models of military conquest and cultural dominance. Both conflicts illustrate that military victory is not the only path to control—history, culture, and religion play pivotal roles in shaping the outcome of wars and in sustaining the memory of these conflicts over time.

As we reflect on these historical events, the wisdom of rabbinical teachings serves as a reminder that survival often depends not only on military prowess but also on resilience, adaptability, and the strength of cultural and spiritual identity. The lessons from both nomadic Eurasia and the Crusades offer timeless insights into the nature of war, history, and human survival.

Key Quotes from Rabbinical Teachings:

1. Rabbi Moses Maimonides (Rambam):
   “In times of sorrow and darkness, it is the heart’s duty to remain steadfast. It is through our trials that we draw closer to the Almighty.”
2. Rabbi Nachman of Breslov:
   “The whole world is a narrow bridge, and the important thing is not to be afraid.”

These reflections encapsulate the resilience needed to survive the tragic and often brutal realities of history. Whether facing the Tartarian rewriting of Hungarian history or the Crusaders’ siege of Jerusalem, it is the endurance of spirit and the strength of cultural identity that ultimately define a people’s survival.