### Instruction: Write a preface to book where the author feels the need to properly caveat his story about warfare in the middle east, in case someone were to get offended by the content.  Make sure the author conveys his deep respect for that region and all cultures represented therein.
### Response: Though the events described here may have some historic precedent, they are totally fictitious, as are equipment and its use. Similarly, any resemblance between the characters in this story and actual individuals would be totally coincidental. Finally, though the geographical locations are real, the characterization of certain countries is vaguely inspired by reality. One should not conclude that the author's views relative to any of these countries matches the views presented here. The entire Middle East has been a war cauldron for most of its history, and yet it remains both the birthplace of western civilization and the origin of wonderful scientific discoveries.  Additionally, its contribution to the world of art, through the ago has been unquestioned. In short, whoever is painted as a villain today could turn out to be a hero tomorrow.