060 PC 12 E - THE ARAB SPRING: IMPLICATIONS FOR EURO ATLANTIC SECURITY

The unexpected advent of the wave of popular protests known as the Arab Spring has had a transformative effect on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.  Driven by long unaddressed socio-economic pressures, exacerbated by demography, demonstrations in Tunisia in January 2011 have inspired a series of interrelated but separate waves of popular protest, changing the political and security landscape there.  The Arab Spring has considerable implications for Euro-Atlantic security and poses several challenges to NATO policy towards the region.

This report briefly outlines the importance of the MENA region for Euro-Atlantic security and reflects on NATO’s policy towards this area.  It then surveys the complex array of challenges posed by the Arab Spring to the transatlantic community and their implications for Euro-Atlantic security.  The report concludes by examining NATO responses to-date and presents some preliminary recommendations as to how the Alliance can adapt its policy to the region.

Download the full Draft Report in Word or PDF format below.