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 view shows part of Mount Qassioun and part of Damascus city, in this photo taken from the Syrian cabinet building (REUTERS/Khaled al-Hariri).

Blog Post

Around the Halls: Israel's Airstrikes in Syria

May 7, 2013, Daniel L. Byman, Kenneth M. Pollack, Michael Doran, Natan B. Sachs, Suzanne Maloney, Salman Shaikh and Tamara Cofman Wittes

Following news of Israel’s weekend airstrikes in Syria, Brookings experts examine the implications of Israel’s actions, analyze Syria and Hezbollah’s possible responses, and offer foreign policy recommendations for the United States. Daniel Byman, Michael Doran, Suzanne Maloney, Kenneth Pollack, Natan Sachs, Salman Shaikh, and Tamara Wittes weigh in on the latest developments.

Recent Activity

Refine by: Middle East and North Africa | Egypt | Islamic World | International Affairs

Testimony | House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on Middle East and North Africa

Egypt Two Years After the Revolution:Where Egypt Stands, What the United States Can Do

February 26, 2013, Tamara Cofman Wittes
Testimony | U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations

Next Steps in Syria

August 1, 2012, Martin S. Indyk
Testimony | Senate Foreign Relations Committee

Options for U.S. Policy in Syria

April 19, 2012, Tamara Cofman Wittes
Testimony | House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia

Reflections on the Revolution in Egypt

February 15, 2012, Robert Kagan