Abstract:This article argues that part of the reason why some Middle Eastern states remain democratically challenged is the emergence, operation, and political influence of "security networks" and "deep states"—informal actors in the area of national security. The article explains what these actors are, situates them in a broad theoretical and comparative perspective, assesses their impact on democratic development, and provides examples from Turkey, Lebanon, Israel, and Egypt.

中文翻译：

---

安全网络，深层国家与中东的民主赤字

摘要：本文认为，中东一些国家仍然受到民主挑战的部分原因是“安全网络”和“深度国家”（国家安全领域中的非正式角色）的出现，运作和政治影响。本文解释了这些行为者的含义，从广义的理论和比较角度对其进行了定位，评估了它们对民主发展的影响，并提供了土耳其，黎巴嫩，以色列和埃及的例子。