But since the early days of militarisation, when leaders grouped under the umbrella of the Free Syrian Army, differences have deepened.

ECONOMIST: Rebel forces

The years of fiscal austerity and social turmoil that followed, writes Mr Priestland, contributed to the militarisation of Germany and Japan.

ECONOMIST: A history of power

Nor is there much public protest against this creeping militarisation.

ECONOMIST: A victorious army keeps busy despite the lack of an enemy

The militarisation of public security however inevitable in the short term carries the risk that Mexico will still not get the civilian, community-based policing it needs to prevent and investigate crime.

ECONOMIST: Dealing with drugs

Their replacement with loyalists from the Revolutionary Guard, the ideologically zealous parallel to the regular army that also controls the baseej, has raised alarm even among conservatives of creeping militarisation.

ECONOMIST: Allegations of torture against opponents of the president

General Alexander's seven-month confirmation process is a sign of the qualms senators felt at the merging of military and espionage functions, the militarisation of cyberspace and the fear that it may undermine Americans' right to privacy.

ECONOMIST: Are the mouse and keyboard the new weapons of conflict?