"This handbook is about the role of armed forces in the support and spread of democracy," as Blair states in the Introduction. He provides a concise overview of the topic, including a set of recommendations for officers and defense officials. In eight brisk chapters, Blair shows how established democracies can --and why they should --take full advantage of their points of contact to move dictatorships toward democracy. He explores the potential for democratic armed forces to influence change both in dictatorships like Iran and North Korea and transitioning countries such as Egypt, Kazakhstan and Burma. Recent events in Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya demonstrated that the way in which the military responds to calls for democratic change is crucial in shaping the outcome of potential transitions. What is less understood, however, is the potential role of outside influence in such situations --specifically, how military officers and defense officials in the United States and other democracies can use their relationships with military officers in transitioning countries to improve the prospects for democracy. Under the leadership of Admiral Dennis Blair, the Council for a Community of Democracies has developed a project to inform, guide, and strengthen democratic transitions. They describe how the democracies can prepare ahead of time and respond quickly and effectively in a time of crisis. This project establishes a knowledge base and set of recommendations for military officers and defense officials to support democratic movements. |