Civil-Military Relations in the Arab-Majority World: The Impacts on Democratization and Political Violence

Abstract:
How did unbalanced civil-military relations affect democratisation and political violence trends in the Middle East and North Africa?

This article analyses why the 'Arab Spring' failed to develop democratic control of armed state institutions. It outlines the strategic repercussions of such failure on the rising trends of political violence in the region, committed by both state and non-state actors.

The article draws lessons from empirical, comparative and historical experiences and concludes with policy implications.