The Arab Spring and Its Counterrevolutionaries

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    "Marina Ottaway"
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In The Media

The Arab Spring and Its Counterrevolutionaries

Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey are likely to have little influence over the final outcome of the Arab Spring. Instead, the course of political transformation across the Middle East will be determined by domestic actors.

By Marina Ottaway

Published on Jun 11, 2012

Source: International Relations and Security Network

Although there has been dramatic change in the region over the course of the past year and a half, “the Arab world is still experiencing transformations that are at best incomplete,” noted Carnegie's Marina Ottaway, speaking with the International Relations and Security Network. She argued that there are still significant remnants of the old regimes working in Egypt and Tunisia to secure their influence and interests.

Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey are all important components of the geopolitical configuration of the region and have different views on the Arab uprisings, Ottaway continued. Each of these countries has been supportive of uprisings in some countries and wary of revolts in others. Despite their strength and influence in the region Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey “will not be the main factor in shaping the outcome of the Arab uprisings. These are domestic political battles and foreign actors will only have a marginal impact in what happens in countries in transition in the Arab world,” concluded Ottaway.

About the Author

Marina Ottaway

Former Senior Associate, Middle East Program

Before joining the Endowment, Ottaway carried out research in Africa and in the Middle East for many years and taught at the University of Addis Ababa, the University of Zambia, the American University in Cairo, and the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa.

Recent Work

Article
Reactions to the Syrian National Initiative
- Marina Ottaway, Omar Hossino
Article
Slow Return to Normal Politics in Egypt
- Marina Ottaway

Political Reform Middle East North Africa Egypt Tunisia

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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