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Journey Through the Turbulent New Middle East: Post-Arab Spring Turkey, Iraq, and Beyond

Griffin Mitchell

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Published in The Fires Of Spring: A Post Arab Spring Journey Through The Turbulent New Middle East Turkey Iraq Qatar Jordan Egypt And Tunisia

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The Rise and Fall of the Arab Spring

The Arab Spring was a wave of revolutionary movements that swept across the Middle East and North Africa in 2011. Inspired by the success of the Tunisian revolution, which overthrew longtime dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, pro-democracy protests erupted in several Arab countries, including Egypt, Libya, Yemen, and Syria.

The Arab Spring initially raised hopes for a new era of freedom and democracy in the Middle East. However, these hopes were quickly dashed as the uprisings led to widespread violence and instability. In Egypt, the military overthrew the democratically elected government of Mohammed Morsi. In Libya, a civil war erupted between rival militias. And in Syria, a brutal civil war dragged on for years, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people.

The Rise of Islamist Extremism

The chaos and instability created by the Arab Spring provided a fertile breeding ground for Islamist extremist groups. The most prominent of these groups was the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). ISIS quickly seized control of large swaths of territory in Iraq and Syria, and it became a major threat to regional and global security.

The Fires of Spring: A Post-Arab Spring Journey Through the Turbulent New Middle East - Turkey, Iraq, Qatar, Jordan, Egypt, and Tunisia

by Shelly Culbertson

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Language	:	English
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Print length	:	385 pages

ISIS's rise to power was fueled by a combination of factors, including the collapse of state authority in the wake of the Arab Spring, the sectarian grievances of Sunni Muslims in Iraq and Syria, and the flow of foreign fighters to the region.

The Impact on Turkey and Iraq

Turkey and Iraq were both deeply affected by the Arab Spring and the rise of ISIS. Turkey became a major destination for refugees fleeing the violence in Syria, and it also played a role in the international coalition against ISIS. Iraq, meanwhile, was plunged into a full-blown civil war as ISIS seized control of large parts of the country.

The conflict in Iraq had a devastating impact on the country's economy and infrastructure. It also created a humanitarian crisis, with millions of people displaced from their homes.

The Future of the Middle East

The future of the Middle East is uncertain. The region faces a number of challenges, including the ongoing conflict in Syria, the threat of terrorism, and the rise of sectarian violence.

However, there are also some signs of hope. The Arab Spring has shown that the people of the Middle East are yearning for change. And the international community is becoming increasingly involved in the region, providing aid and support to those who are working to build a better future.

The Arab Spring was a watershed moment in the history of the Middle East. It has left behind a legacy of chaos and instability, but it has also raised hopes for a new era of freedom and democracy. The future of the region is uncertain, but the people of the Middle East deserve a chance to build a better future for themselves.