The Future of Change in the Arab World

A wave of  uprisings that were spearheaded by the youth erupted in a great number of Arab countries in the aim of bringing some form of change or reform to their governments. Some succeeded in bringing down the heads of their regimes and paved the way towards a transitional stage which brought about a sense of utter optimism for the future. This tide of great hope and optimism which spread all across the region and the world made it seem as if the Arab Spring would fulfill its promises towards the Arab peoples, and deliver them what former regimes have for many decades failed to achieve.

Following a series of failed attempts in introducing real change in Arab governments, the question of change in the Arab world is brought back to debate. This prompted the Center for Arab Unity Studies to hold a grand seminar on the subject matter in order to deepen research about the current state of affairs in the Arab world. Around 100 Arab researchers, scholars and experts participated in the symposium, which covered over the span of four days 22 articles, some of which dealt with the issue of change in several Arab countries individually, and another section dealt with a more comprehensive approach to the most important risks, challenges and future prospects related to the Arab world under changing regional and international dynamics.