The XXXVI International Scientific Symposium "Multidisciplinary Studies of the Turkish World"
The 25
th
of March 2023 ISBN: 978-605-72481-0-7 Eskishehir / Türkiye
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Tunisia in December 2010, and quickly spread to other countries,
including Egypt, Libya, Yemen, Syria,
Bahrain, and Jordan. While the Arab Spring was initially seen as a positive development, with many hoping
that it would bring about greater freedom and democracy, it quickly turned into a threat to the stability of the
region and international security.
The Threat to Regional Stability (Anderson, 2011).:
The Arab Spring posed a significant threat to the stability of the MENA region. The uprisings led to
widespread unrest, violence, and political instability, which had far-reaching consequences for the region's
security. In Tunisia, the initial protests led to the overthrow of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and the
establishment of a new government. While Tunisia has been relatively stable since then, the same cannot be
said for other countries in the region.
In Egypt, the protests led to the overthrow
of President Hosni Mubarak, but this was followed by a
period of political instability, which culminated in the election of Mohamed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood.
Morsi's presidency was short-lived, as he was ousted in a military coup in 2013. The coup led to a crackdown
on the Muslim Brotherhood, which has been designated as a terrorist organization by many countries in the
region.
In Libya, the protests led to the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi, but this
was followed by a power
vacuum, which allowed various armed groups to gain control of different parts of the country. The lack of a
strong central government has led to ongoing violence and instability in Libya, with different groups vying for
power and control.
In Yemen, the protests led to the ouster of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, but this was followed by a
power struggle between different factions, including the Houthis, a Shiite group from northern Yemen, and the
government of President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi. The conflict has led to a humanitarian crisis in Yemen,
with millions of people facing food and water shortages, as well as the risk of disease outbreaks (Guliyev,
2012).
In Syria, the protests led to a civil war, which has lasted for more than a decade. The conflict has led to
the displacement of millions of people, as well as the rise of extremist groups, such as the Islamic State (IS)
and al-Qaeda. The war has also had regional and international implications, with different countries supporting
different sides in the conflict.
The Threat to International Security (Gerges, 2014):
The Arab Spring also posed a threat to international security. The uprisings had far-reaching
implications for global stability, with different countries and actors getting involved
in the conflicts that
followed. The lack of a strong central government in many of the affected countries has allowed extremist
groups to gain a foothold in the region, which has led to an increase in terrorism and extremism.
The conflict in Syria, in particular, has had global implications, with different
countries supporting
different sides in the conflict. Russia and Iran have supported the government of President Bashar al-Assad,
while the United States and its allies have supported the opposition. The conflict has also led to the
displacement of millions of people, many of whom have sought refuge in other countries, including Europe.
This has led to a rise in anti-immigrant sentiment and right-wing populism in many European countries
(Ismailzade, 2011).
The conflict in Yemen has also had global implications, with Saudi Arabia and its allies getting involved
in the conflict to support the government of President Hadi. The conflict has also led to a humanitarian crisis,
with millions of people facing food and water shortages, as well as the risk of disease outbreaks. The
humanitarian situation in Yemen has been described as one of the worst in
the world, with millions of people
in need of assistance.
The rise of extremist groups, such as the Islamic State (IS) and al-Qaeda, has also posed a threat to
international security. These groups have taken advantage of the instability in the region to gain a foothold and
carry out attacks both within the region and beyond. The attacks in Paris in 2015 and Brussels in 2016 were
carried out by individuals with links to IS.
The involvement of different countries in the conflicts in the region has also led to tensions between
them. The rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran, in particular, has played out in the conflicts in Yemen and
Syria, with both countries supporting different sides. This has led to an increase in tensions and a risk of
escalation, which could have serious implications for regional and international security.
The Role of External Actors (Lutterbeck, 2013):
The Arab Spring was not just a series of internal events, but was also influenced by external actors. The
role of external actors in the conflicts that followed the uprisings has had a significant impact on the stability
of the region and international security.