Marina Ottaway, Omar Hossino
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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.
Source: International Relations and Security Network

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
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.
- Reactions to the Syrian National InitiativeArticle
- Slow Return to Normal Politics in EgyptArticle
Marina Ottaway
Recent Work
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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