The book examines civil-military relations in key Middle Eastern and South Asian Islamic states. Specifically it analyzes how the endurance of authoritarianism in Algeria, Egypt, Pakistan, and Turkey is affected by international influence on the political development of these states.

Introduction : Civil-military relations in the Middle East -- Plan of the book -- Algeria -- History -- The military establishment -- Civil-military relations -- Regional & international influence -- Conclusion -- Egypt -- History -- The military establishment -- Civil-military relations -- Regional & international influence -- Conclusion -- Pakistan -- History -- The military establishment -- Civil-military relations -- Regional & international influence -- Conclusion -- Turkey -- History -- The military establishment -- Civil-military relations -- Regional & international influence -- Conclusion -- Comparing military interventions & withdrawals -- Implications for policy : militaries as democratizers?