Middle Eastern Countries

Tunisia

In 2011, a revolution resulted in the overthrow of autocratic President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and the first free elections in the country were held. Since then, Tunisia has been consolidating its young democracy.

Algeria

On 24 February 2011, the government lifted Algeria's 19-year-old state of emergency. The government enacted legislation dealing with political parties, the electoral code, and the representation of women in elected bodies

Egypt

On 30 June 2013, a planned popular uprising without any clear political backing and a higher turnout than the 25 January 2011 protests led to the end of Morsi's Presidency and the downfall of the Muslim Brotherhood. On 3 July 2013, the military removed Morsi from power in a coup detat and installed an interim government.

Libya

A civil war and NATO-led military intervention in 2011 resulted in the ousting and death of the country's former leader, Muammar Gaddafi, and the collapse of his 42-year "First of September 'Al Fateh' Revolution" and 34-year-old Jamahiriya state. As a result, Libya is currently undergoing political reconstruction, and is governed under an interim constitution drawn up by the National Transitional Council (NTC). Elections to a General National Congress were held on 7 July 2012, and the NTC handed power to the newly elected assembly on 8 August. The Congress has the responsibility of forming an assembly to draft a permanent constitution for Libya, which will then be put to a referendum.

Saudi Arabia

Since 2011, Saudi Arabia has been affected by its own Arab Spring protests. In response, King Abdullah announced on 22 February 2011 a series of benefits for citizens amounting to $36 billion, of which $10.7 billion was earmarked for housing. No political reforms were announced as part of the package, though some prisoners indicted for financial crimes were pardoned. On 18 March the same year, King Abdullah announced a package of $93 billion, which included 500,000 new homes to a cost of $67 billion, in addition to creating 60,000 new security jobs.

Jordan

Modern Jordan is classified as a country of "medium human development" by the 2011 Human Development Report, and an emerging market with the third freest economy in West Asia and North Africa (32nd freest worldwide). Jordan has an "upper middle income" economy.

Jordan has enjoyed "advanced status" with the European Union since December 2010, and it is also a member of the Euro-Mediterranean free trade area. Jordan is a founding member of the Arab League, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

Yemen

By 2012, there has been a "small contingent of U.S. special-operations troops" — in addition to CIA and "unofficially acknowledged" U.S. military presence — in response to increasing terror attacks by AQAP on Yemeni citizens.

Syria

d) against Assad and the neo-Ba'athist government. An alternative government was formed by the opposition umbrella group, the Syrian National Coalition, in March 2012. Representatives of this government were subsequently invited to take up Syria's seat at the Arab League.

US involvement in Syria

US involvement in Syria would enhance America’s “credibility” as a major world power; to provide reassurance to American allies in the region; and to assist the anti-Assad forces within Syria.