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The article discusses the shortage of Arabic linguists in the United States and its impact on national security. The various inquiries into the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, are full of worrying statistics. The army had filled only half its authorized positions for Arabic translators; a shortage of translators at the Federal Bureau of Investigation meant that thousands of hours of audiotape had gone untranslated; the Central Intelligence Agency had not been through countless technical papers about foreign countries' scientific research; and, of course, the spying agencies were woefully short of Arabic- and Farsi-speaking agents. There are said to be just 1,850 known Arabic-speakers in the U.S. army. By and large, the demand in Iraq has been filled by locals of variable quality--and loyalty. "Heritage" speakers--American citizens who can still speak their native languages and understand the culture--are offered signing bonuses of up to $3,000 by the army. Congress has given more money for foreign-language training.