Commentary
Malaysia’s chairmanship sought to fend off short-term challenges while laying the groundwork for minimizing ASEAN’s longer-term exposure to external stresses.
Elina Noor
{
"authors": [
"Marina Ottaway",
"Michele Dunne",
"Christopher Boucek"
],
"type": "commentary",
"centerAffiliationAll": "dc",
"centers": [
"Carnegie Endowment for International Peace"
],
"collections": [
"Arab Awakening"
],
"englishNewsletterAll": "menaTransitions",
"nonEnglishNewsletterAll": "",
"primaryCenter": "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
"programAffiliation": "MEP",
"programs": [
"Middle East"
],
"projects": [],
"regions": [
"Middle East",
"North Africa",
"Egypt",
"Tunisia",
"Jordan",
"Yemen"
],
"topics": [
"Political Reform",
"Democracy",
"Foreign Policy"
]
}
REQUIRED IMAGE
Commentary
Understanding the Protests in the Arab World
Massive demonstrations in Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan, and Yemen have already toppled one government and threaten to bring down others. What can be learned from the fate of the Ben Ali and Mubarak regimes, are the protests likely to continue spreading across the region, and what options are available to U.S. policy makers?
Published on Feb 4, 2011
Massive demonstrations in Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan, and Yemen have already toppled one government and threaten to bring down others.
Middle East experts Marina Ottaway, Michele Dunne, and Christopher Boucek discussed the fate of the Ben Ali and Mubarak regimes, whether the protests are likely to continue spreading across the region, and what options are available to U.S. policy makers.
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.
More Work from Carnegie China
- Malaysia’s Year as ASEAN Chair: Managing Disorder
- When It Comes to Superpower Geopolitics, Malaysia Is Staunchly NonpartisanCommentary
For Malaysia, the conjunction that works is “and” not “or” when it comes to the United States and China.
Elina Noor
- Neither Comrade nor Ally: Decoding Vietnam’s First Army Drill with ChinaCommentary
In July 2025, Vietnam and China held their first joint army drill, a modest but symbolic move reflecting Hanoi’s strategic hedging amid U.S.–China rivalry.
Nguyễn Khắc Giang
- China’s Mediation Offer in the Thailand-Cambodia Border Dispute Sheds Light on Beijing’s Security Role in Southeast AsiaCommentary
The Thai-Cambodian conflict highlights the limits to China's peacemaker ambition and the significance of this role on Southeast Asia’s balance of power.
Pongphisoot (Paul) Busbarat
- China Is Determined to Hold Firm Against Trump’s PressureCommentary
Beijing believes that Washington is overestimating its own leverage and its ability to handle the trade war’s impacts.
Rick Waters, Sheena Chestnut Greitens
