Cooperation with the Middle East after the Arab Spring Circumstantial Changes and Implications

Abstract

The year 2011 witnessed unprecedented political change in the Middle East. Citizens took to the streets in mass protest against deepening poverty, high youth unemployment rates, corruption and longtime dictatorship. Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Yemen underwent regime changes, while there is an ongoing full-fledged civil war in Syria. Even the oil-rich Saudi Arabia was swayed by small demonstrations instigated by sectarian strife, high youth and female unemployment rates as well as political repression. It remains to be seen whether such political changes will bring about significant social and economic transformation. Despite political overturn, the social and economic structures that upheld the previous system are still in place. The Arab Spring do, however, seem to have shaken the deep-rooted patriarchal and Islamic authoritarianism that has long been rampant in the region. The civilians of the Middle East could too question the legitimacy of the State and demand political change.