Conference Paper · March 023 citations reads 163 authors

"ARAB SPRING": A THREAT TO THE STABILITY OF REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL 
SECURITY 
Kubura Gurbanlı
Master Student 
Baku State University, Azerbaijan 
Orcid id: 0000-0003-3804-8774 
Abstract. 
The Arab Spring, which began in 2010, marked a significant turning point in the political 
landscape of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. While the movement initially held great 
promise for democratic reform, it ultimately led to increased instability and a threat to regional and 
international security. The implications of the Arab Spring for the MENA region and beyond. 
One of the primary factors that contributed to the destabilization of the region was the lack of 
institutional capacity to manage political change.
Another contributing factor was the sectarian divisions within the region. The conflict between Sunni 
and Shia Muslims has long been a source of tension in the MENA region, and the Arab Spring only served to 
exacerbate these tensions.
Furthermore, the Arab Spring has also had economic implications, with countries such as Tunisia, 
Egypt, and Libya experiencing a decline in their economies. 
Key word: 
Arab Spring, international security, political reform, economic reform, democracy, civil 
wars 
The Arab Spring was a series of uprisings that occurred across the Middle East and North Africa 
(MENA) region from 2010 to 2012. The protests were largely driven by demands for political, economic, and 
social reforms, as well as a desire for greater democracy and human rights. The wave of protests began in 

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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. 

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