Proxy Warriors: The Rise and Fall of State-Sponsored Militias

In this book, Ariel Ahram offers a new perspective on a growing threat to international and human security--the reliance of 'weak states' on quasi-official militias, paramilitaries, and warlords. Tracing the history of several high profile paramilitary organizations, including Indonesia's various militia factions, Iraq's tribal awakening, and Iran's Revolutionary Guard and Basij corps, the book shows why and how states co-opt these groups, turning former rebels into state-sponsored militias. Building on an historical and comparative empirical approach that emphasizes decolonization, revolution, and international threat, the author offers a new set of policy prescriptions for addressing this escalating international crisis--with particular attention to strategies for mitigating the impact of this devolution of violence on the internal and international stability of states.

Author: Ariel Ahram
Publisher: Stanford Security Studies
Published: 01/26/2011
Pages: 208
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.88lbs
Size: 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.70d
ISBN13: 9780804773591
ISBN10: 0804773599
BISAC Categories:
- Technology & Engineering | Military Science
- Political Science | Security (National & International)

About the Author
Ariel I. Ahram is an Assistant Professor in the School of International and Area Studies and the Department of Political Science at the University of Oklahoma.