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CiteMilitary Soft 'Coup' in Egypt Has Precedent
Steven A. Cook says that regardless of whether the June 17 decree by Egypt's Supreme Council of the Armed Forces was in fact a military coup,...
Interviewee: Steven A. Cook
Interviewer: Eben Kaplan
May 18, 2007
With U.S. policy in the Middle East increasingly focused on democracy promotion, a new book by CFR Douglas Dillon Fellow Steven Cook examines the approach several military-dominated regimes have taken toward democratization. Ruling But Not Governing: The Military and Political Development in Egypt, Algeria, and Turkey argues that the militaries in these nations shield themselves behind “a facade of democratic practices and principles” while continuing to control key institutions.
With military leaders reasserting themselves in Turkey and parliamentary elections taking place in Algeria, Cook’s work sheds light on some of the most current developments in the region. Cook says these case studies could also inform thinking on such trouble spots as Pakistan and Iraq.
In terms of democracy promotion, Cook says force and punitive measures have proven themselves ineffective. He argues for more carrots and fewer sticks in U.S. policy toward the Middle East.
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Steven A. Cook says that regardless of whether the June 17 decree by Egypt's Supreme Council of the Armed Forces was in fact a military coup,...
Ruling But Not Governing provides valuable insight into the political dynamics that perpetuate authoritarian regimes and offers novel ways to...
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Steven A. Cook says, "This is a critical moment in Egypt's transition; Morsi and his colleagues would do well to recognize that, rescind the...