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Source: Getty

In The Media

Changing Dynamics in the Arab World

A fundamental transformation has occurred in the Middle East and North Africa, in spite of the violent repression that has confronted protesters in Libya, Syria, Bahrain, and Yemen.

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By Marwan Muasher
Published on Jun 3, 2011
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Middle East

The Middle East Program in Washington combines in-depth regional knowledge with incisive comparative analysis to provide deeply informed recommendations. With expertise in the Gulf, North Africa, Iran, and Israel/Palestine, we examine crosscutting themes of political, economic, and social change in both English and Arabic.

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Source: Viewpoints with James Zogby

Although the regimes in Libya, Syria, Bahrain and Yemen have used violence to try to put an end to domestic popular protests, the revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt, as well as the continuing unrest throughout the region, have ushered in a fundamental transformation. Speaking on Viewpoint with James Zogby, Carnegie’s Marwan Muasher explained that “the feeling of fear and powerlessness has now gone away, people are no longer afraid.” This does not mean that change will change will come about by a smooth and orderly process, Muasher warned. However, repressive regimes and dictators will “no longer be able to the clock back,” he asserted.

About the Author

Marwan Muasher

Vice President for Studies

Marwan Muasher is vice president for studies at Carnegie, where he oversees research in Washington and Beirut on the Middle East. Muasher served as foreign minister (2002–2004) and deputy prime minister (2004–2005) of Jordan, and his career has spanned the areas of diplomacy, development, civil society, and communications.

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Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

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