Beirut ‘82: Arab Stalingrad

Beirut ‘82: Arab Stalingrad is a classic entry in the magazine wargame genre, originally featured in Strategy & Tactics issue #126. This two-player game recreates the intense 1982 siege of Beirut. One player commands the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and their Phalangist allies, while the other controls the PLO, Syrian forces, and local militias like Amal and Druze. The game shines by simulating the diplomatic pressures of the era, which forced an asymmetrical conflict where a smaller force had to hold off a superior military power under a ticking political clock. Featuring a map of the urban theater and battalion-level units, the game uses a traditional Combat Results Table (CRT) based on force ratios, requiring precise tactical decision-making. It is a light-to-medium weight wargame, perfect for those who want to grasp the complex dynamics of a modern siege without wading through massive rulebooks. Gameplay is straightforward, emphasizing strategic positioning over pure dice-rolling luck. If you are a history buff looking to test your mettle in an "Arab Stalingrad" scenario, this title offers a compelling blend of historical simulation and strategic challenge.