One such problem with the nationalist argument insofar as it pertains to Mehmed Ali's army was the fact that the soldiers, far from rushing enthusiastically to join the colors and defend the nation, came to view conscription as a heavy tax exacted by an already oppressive and intolerant regime that they found it difficult to sympathize with.

XREF: Directly parallels and deepens loc 1359 'No Egyptian peasant voluntarily joined Mehmed Ali's army' and loc 1394 'Conscripts regarded the army as the regime's most detestable institution' — this highlight explicitly diagnoses the nationalist argument's flaw. QUESTION: The highlight contrasts nationalist framing with soldiers' actual perceptions but notes soldiers 'found it difficult to sympathize' — worth probing what, if anything, would have made them sympathize. Builds on: "No Egyptian peasant voluntarily joined Mehmed Ali's army."

Khaled Fahmy, All the Pasha_s Men_ Mehmed…, loc. 1670