This paper utilizes a framework we have developed to analyze civil-military relations in terms of both democratic civilian control and effectiveness. As the achievement of effectiveness only makes sense in terms of the roles and missions actually implemented by the security forces in a country, the roles and missions will be spelled out. The focus in this paper will be on comparative analysis of four countries that the author finds to be relatively successful in achieving both democratic civilian control and ef-fectiveness. Since few roles and missions can be proven to be successful, the author believes the focus must necessarily be on three essential elements for effectiveness. Consequently, the implementation of a military strategy or policy requires an analysis as to whether or not these essential elements are present.