The Arab Spring: The Hope and Reality of Uprisings

The Arab Spring unexpectedly developed in late 2010 with peaceful protests in a number of Arab countries against long-standing, entrenched regimes, and rapid political upheaval across the region ensued. With contributions from noted scholars, The Arab Spring: Change and Resistance in the Middle East provides a comprehensive overview of the causes, the key events, and the aftermath of these revolutions. Divided into two parts, the book first examines on the Arab countries directly involved and most dramatically impacted by the uprisings, as well as why some of their Arab neighbors avoided large-scale revolutions. The second part explores other countries--both in and outside of the region--that have a stake and interest in the uprisings. The second edition has been thoroughly updated to include coverage of events since 2012 and how those changes have altered initial assessments of Arab Spring's effects, and a brand-new chapter on Iraq. New part introductions and a revised concluding chapter provide better contextualization and comparative analysis of the key themes and broader questions. This is an essential volume for students and scholars of the Middle East seeking the fullest understanding of how the uprisings continue to impact the region and the world.