This book is the first examination of the Cuban military in the context of Cuba's political and economic challenges in the aftermath of the collapse of the USSR - and therefore of Soviet economic, political and psychological support. It provides important historical and political contexts of the development and engagement of the military.

Hal Klepak is a professor of history and warfare studies at the Royal Military College of Canada.

Mambises Still? The Revolutionary Tradition in the Cuban Armed Forces The FAR up to the Special Period 1959-1990: The Third World's Most Impressive Armed Force? The Blows: The FAR Alone in a Cruel World "The Proof is in the Pudding": The FAR and the Economy The FAR and the United States: Confidence Building in Limited But Important Sectors The FAR and Other Countries: Has the Search for Friends Brought Results? The Context at Home: Malaise sans fin ? The FAR and the Politics of 'No Transition': But Who Else? The Military Defence of Cuba: But Can the FAR Still Deter? Conclusion