Discuss the role of the military in establishing authoritarian regimes in the Middle East, 1919-1996.

The military has played a pivotal role in establishing authoritarian regimes in the Middle East from 1919 to 1996.

The military's role in the establishment of authoritarian regimes in the Middle East can be traced back to the post-World War I era. Following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, the region was carved up by colonial powers, primarily Britain and France. The military was often used as a tool by these colonial powers to maintain control and suppress nationalist movements. This set a precedent for the use of the military in politics and governance in the region.

In the post-colonial era, the military continued to play a significant role in politics. In many cases, military leaders seized power through coups, establishing authoritarian regimes. For instance, in Egypt, a group of military officers led by Gamal Abdel Nasser overthrew King Farouk in 1952, establishing a military regime that lasted for several decades. Similarly, in Iraq, the military played a key role in the 1968 coup that brought the Ba'ath Party to power, with Saddam Hussein eventually becoming the country's authoritarian leader.

The military's role in establishing authoritarian regimes was not limited to coups. In many cases, authoritarian leaders used the military to consolidate their power and suppress opposition. For example, in Iran, Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi relied heavily on the military to maintain his rule, particularly following the 1953 coup that reinstated him as monarch. Similarly, in Syria, Hafez al-Assad, a former military officer, used the military to suppress opposition and maintain his authoritarian rule.

The military's role in establishing authoritarian regimes in the Middle East was also influenced by external factors. During the Cold War, both the United States and the Soviet Union provided military aid and support to various regimes in the region, often bolstering their military capabilities and enabling them to maintain authoritarian rule. For example, the U.S. provided significant military aid to the Shah of Iran, while the Soviet Union provided support to the Ba'ath regimes in Iraq and Syria.

In conclusion, the military has played a crucial role in establishing authoritarian regimes in the Middle East from 1919 to 1996. Whether through coups, as a tool of suppression, or as a beneficiary of external support, the military has often been at the centre of power in the region. This has had significant implications for the political development of the region, contributing to the prevalence of authoritarianism and political instability.