Revolts and the Military in the Arab Spring: Popular Uprisings and the Politics of Repression (Library of Modern Middle East Studies)

"Through detailed exploration of events in Tunisia, Egypt, Bahrain, Libya, Syria and Yemen, Sean Burns here breaks down the concept of professionalism within the armed forces into its component parts and demonstrates how variation in military structures determines their behaviour. In so doing, and by emphasising historical context and drawing on a wide range of political science theory, Burns sheds fresh light onto the ways in which military structure affects the potential for democratic transition or the course of civil war. With this book he presented a wide-ranging study of the Middle East which provides key tools to understanding the opportunities for democratisation, both during the Arab Spring and beyond, and which is therefore essential reading for anyone working on the Middle East, popular uprisings and the politics of repression."--Bloomsbury Publishing. Cover Title Copyright Dedication Contents List of Illustrations Preface Introduction Explaining the Arab Spring A Regional Wave Military Behavior in the Arab Spring Decisions, Outcomes, and the Syrian Case Will and Capacity Military Structure and the Outcomes of Middle East Revolts The Plan of the Book 1. The Men with Guns Civil– Military Relations and Military Professionalism Coup- Proofing and Military Structure Identifying Military Structure Measuring Structural Features and Identifying Military Types Features, Methodology, and Other Variables Military Characteristics and Outcomes in the Uprising Phase Democratization, Revolution, and Civil War Conclusion 2. Tunisia: A Professional Military Historical Development Nationalism and Independence Bourguibism Bourguibism and the Military The Ben Ali Regime The Uprising The Transition Conclusion 3. Egypt: An Institutionalized/ Corporate Military Historical Development Nasser’s Revolution and the Egyptian Military The Military Under Sadat and Mubarak The Uprising The Transition Conclusion 4. Bahrain: A Ruler/ Mercenary Military Historical Development Exclusion, Revolt, and Repression Military Structure The Uprising The Aftermath Conclusion 5. Libya: A Factionalized Military Historical Development The Jamahiriya Qaddafi and the Military The Uprising Transition and Fragmentation Conclusion 6. Syria: A Factionalized Military Historical Development Coup Politics The Assad Regime The Syrian Military The Uprising Civil War Conclusion 7. Yemen: A Factional Military Historical Background Northern Yemen The People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen The Republic of Yemen The Military The Uprising Negotiation, Breakdown, and Civil War Conclusion 8. Iran: A Sultanistic Military Historical Development The Pahlavi Dynasty The Shah and the Military The Uprising The Revolution The Revolutionary Guards and the Islamic Revolution The 2009 Green Movement Conclusion Conclusion Notes Bibliography Index The Arab Spring, which swept across the Middle East between 2010 and 2012, demonstrated the extent to which military structure and decision-making determine whether peaceful uprisings lead to democratisation, renewed authoritarianism, collapse or civil war. Through detailed exploration of events in Tunisia, Egypt, Bahrain, Libya, Syria and Yemen, Sean Burns here breaks down the concept of professionalism within the armed forces into its component parts and demonstrates how variation in military structures determines their behaviour. In so doing, and by emphasising historical context and drawing on a wide range of political science theory, Burns sheds fresh light onto the ways in which military structure affects the potential for democratic transition or the course of civil war. With this book he presented a wide-ranging study of the Middle East which provides key tools to understanding the opportunities for democratisation, both during the Arab Spring and beyond, and which is therefore essential reading for anyone working on the Middle East, popular uprisings and the politics of repression.-- Provided by Publisher "As ISIS seeks to expand its reach in the Middle East, its territory serves as a base for training and operations for a new generation of jihadis. Thousands of young people from the West, primarily from Europe, have travelled to join ISIS, re-emerging as hardened fighters with military training and a network of international contacts. Many of these have now returned to their homelands, where it is feared they are planning a new series of brutal attacks. Peter R. Neumann here explains the phenomenon of the 'new jihadis', and shows why the threat of terrorism in the West is greater than ever before. Based on interviews and previously-unseen material, Neumann provides an essential introduction to one of the greatest crises of our time." Chapter 1. Introduction Chapter 2. The Men with Guns Chapter 3. Iran: A Sultanistic Military Chapter 4. Tunisia: A Professional Military Chapter 5. Egypt: An Institutionalized/Corporate Military Chapter 6. Bahrain: A Ruler/Mercenary Military Chapter 7. Libya: A Factionalized Military Chapter 8. Syria: A Factionalized Military Chapter 9. Yemen: A Factional Military Chapter 10. Extensions and Complications Bibliography.