Of course military leaders consider their own material interests. Further, appointing officers to high-level political positions, including cabinet appointments, can cultivate the political allegiance of the military elite. Most important, if the military elite are implicated in a regime’s criminal behavior, that strengthens their loyalty. Military leaders also consider whether civil society and the public at large support the regime. For instance, the military runs PDVSA, the state oil company, and military officers profit from being involved in a lucrative government-run drug-trafficking network.

Source: Washington Post February 01, 2019 10:52 UTC