When the population took to the streets of Tunisia on 17 December 2010 to protest against the
autocratic regime and living conditions it resulted not only in the overthrow of the country=s
own government: it went on to trigger further protests in rapid succession in other Arab
countries such as Algeria and Egypt. One of the central goals of the protests was to install
democratic forms of government so that they optimistically came to be called the Arab Spring.
Today some 10 years after the events the results are sobering. As Martin Pabst shows in his
balanced account jihadism civil wars and terror were able to spread in the wake of the Arab
Spring . The book provides a well-founded overview of developments in the Arab world as a major
region stretching from the Maghreb to the Near East and Middle East. A historical and
geographic introduction is followed by insights into the region=s various cultures ethnic
groups and languages. The various economic forms population developments and supply situations
are analysed. The intensifying Saudi-Iranian conflict is also placed in this context and the
question is raised of whether the conflict is primarily a religious war or a power struggle.
Against the background of these general developments the Arab Spring is described with a focus
on important points in the transition process: the armed conflicts social unrest political
upheavals etc. in Syria and Iraq the failed state of Libya Egypt as a key country and the
Gulf monarchies which initially stood at a distance but then became increasingly involved and
came under pressure to reform. In conclusion the book outlines development trajectories
towards a new order in the future. To provide quick and targeted access the book is structured
according to common topics rather than countries. This mainly thematic structure has two
further advantages - it avoids repetition and brings out the general connections within the
large region. The book can be used to provide an overview and introduction to the history and
current politics of this important region.
