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International Affairs

The Arab Awakening and Middle East Unrest

In Brief

In early 2011, uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt led to the overthrow of their heads of state and sparked a wave of protests throughout the Middle East and North Africa, now commonly referred to as the "Arab awakening." Brookings experts comment on the continuing unrest in the region, and its implications for relations with the United States and with the rest of the world.

A Syrian woman holds her daughter in Amman.

A veiled Syrian woman, living in Jordan, holds her daughter during a demonstration at the first anniversary of the start of the Syrian revolution in Amman. (REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed)

Podcast

@ Brookings Podcast: The Path to Progress in the Middle East

May 25, 2012, Bruce Riedel

More than a decade after the start of the war in Afghanistan, America continues to face significant challenges in the Middle East. While news of U.S. struggles often dominate foreign policy discussions, Bruce Riedel says it is important to remember that the United States is also making progress in the region.

Recent Activity

Refine by: Middle East and North Africa | Egypt | Democracy Assistance | Libya

Opinion | The Atlantic

The Muslim Brotherhood's Presidential Dilemma

May 22, 2012, Shadi Hamid
In the News

What brings them together, all these very different groups [that support Abol Fotoh in the Egyptian presidential campaign], is this will for changing the status quo and [an] understanding that the current civil-military relationship is very much skewed, with too much power in the hands of the military.
May 22, 2012 , Omar Ashour, CNN
Opinion | CNN.com

Egypt's Military Must Stop Torturing Detainees

May 22, 2012, Cynthia P. Schneider and Khaled Abol Naga
Report

What Do Egyptians Want? Key Findings from the Egyptian Public Opinion Poll

May 21, 2012, Shibley Telhami
Past Event

The Information Revolution: Democracy and Legitimacy in the 21st Century

May 21, 2012
Expert Q & A

The Upcoming Elections in Egypt

May 18, 2012, Tamara Cofman Wittes
Paper | Brookings Doha Center

Voting for Change: The Pitfalls and Possibilities of First Elections in Arab Transitions

May 9, 2012, Ellen Lust
Past Event

Assessing Turkey’s Foreign Policy in the Region: Domestic Factors and External Influences

May 9, 2012
Paper | Brookings Doha Center

Libyan Islamists Unpacked: Rise, Transformation, and Future

May 2, 2012, Omar Ashour
Paper

The Lesser of Two Evils: The Salafi Turn to Party Politics in Egypt

May 2012, William McCants

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