Special Report: The Paths of the Arab Spring

Special Report: The Paths of the Arab Spring

More than two years after a wave of protests swept through much of the Arab world, the countries of the Arab Spring are on sharply divergent paths. This WPR special report examines the internal political and security issues facing those countries, as well as attempts to manage them from the outside, with an extended focus on Syria.

Politics of Reform

The Five Models of Arab Revolution
By Frida Ghitis
June 21, 2012

Joining the Fray: Salafi Politics After the Arab Spring
By Will McCants
January 22, 2013

Embassy Attacks in Egypt, Tunisia Could Marginalize Extremists
By Nader Habibi
September 17, 2012

Suddenly, Hard Times for the Muslim Brotherhood
By Frida Ghitis
February 14, 2013

Can Jordan Find a Way to Peaceful, Successful Reform?
By Frida Ghitis
March 28, 2013

Bahrain Shuts the Door on Reform
By Catherine Cheney
August 21, 2012

Amid Crisis, Tunisia’s Revolutionary Achievements Still Hold
By Anne Wolf
February 14, 2013

Security Reform

Egypt Lacks the Political Will for Needed Security Sector Reform
By Michael Wahid Hanna
March 6, 2013

Shadow of Jihadi Safe Haven Hangs Over Tunisia, Algeria
By Sherelle Jacobs
May 21, 2013

At Least 10 Years Needed to Build Up Libya’s Army and Police
Interview with William Lawrence
May 24, 2013

Finishing the Job: Security Sector Reform After the Arab Spring
By Omar Ashour
May 28, 2013

Shaping the Transition

Selective Partnerships the Norm in New Middle East
By Nikolas Gvosdev
October 12, 2012

Qatar’s Risky Bet on the Muslim Brotherhood
By Frida Ghitis
January 31, 2013

With Friends Like These: Bahrain’s U.S.-Backed Military and the National Dialogue
By Frederic Wehrey
March 14, 2013

A Changing Region: Israel’s Islamist Dilemma
By Robert Blecher, Ofer Zalzberg
December 18, 2012

Russia Tries to Manage Arab Awakening From the Outside
By Dmitri Trenin
May 14, 2013

Qatar, Saudi Arabia Diverge in Battle to Shape Changing Middle East
By Brian Katulis
May 31, 2013

Syria

Does the Case for Staying Out of Syria Stand Up?
By Richard Gowan
February 4, 2013

Endgame Scenarios for the Syrian Conflict
By Steven Metz
May 22, 2013

Iran’s Tactical Successes in Syria Come With Political, Strategic Cost
By Sina Kashefipour
March 12, 2013

Nasrallah Speech Hints at Hezbollah’s Deeper Role in Syria
By Catherine Cheney
May 2, 2013

Israel’s Syria Strike Reflects Favorable Cost-Benefit Calculus
By Frida Ghitis
May 9, 2013

In Qusair, Assad and Hezbollah Show Their Hand
By Frida Ghitis
May 23, 2013

After Obama Meeting, Turkey’s Erdogan Recalibrates Syria Policy
By Yigal Schleifer
May 29, 2013

On Syria, Jordan Caught Between Hesitant U.S. and Activist GCC
By Muhammad Muslih
April 23, 2013

Before Arming Syrian Rebels, U.S. Must Weigh Consequences
By Nikolas Gvosdev
May 31, 2013