The Pete Quiñones Show Pete Reads 'Coup D'état' by Edward N. Luttwak with Guests - Complete Part 2 of 2
Mar 25, 2026
Christopher Sandbatch, an analyst who offers topical, informal insights, and John Fieldhouse, a historian who provides detailed context, read and debate Luttwak. They cover police and counterintelligence risks. They unpack the Algiers case, target selection and media seizure. They discuss transport chokepoints, political forces like unions and parties, execution principles such as surprise, and post-takeover stabilization and foreign recognition.
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Avoid Infiltrating Security Agencies Directly
- Luttwak advises identify all security agencies and their functions before a coup, focusing on counterintelligence and internal political security.
- He warns against directly infiltrating security services because they can reverse-infiltrate the plot.
Civilian Mobilization Can Defeat Military Coups
- The Algiers 1961 example shows ignoring civilian political forces can defeat a militarily promising coup.
- De Gaulle rallied unions, parties, and militia; lack of civilian outreach doomed the four generals.
Seize One Main Broadcast And Sabotage The Rest
- Seize or neutralize communications and transport infrastructure to neutralize political forces; control one main broadcasting outlet and silence others.
- Use internal saboteurs or minimal external sabotage to disable rival stations without heavy destruction.
