United We Stand?

Exploring the dynamics of civil-military relations, the book challenges the common belief that leaders engage in international conflict solely to unify their followers. Instead, it argues that vulnerable leaders may foster divisiveness among military factions to mitigate coup risks and stabilize their political power. Through case studies of post-Soviet Georgia and Syria, the author presents a nuanced perspective on how domestic politics can drive international conflict, effectively overturning conventional wisdom on the subject.