Young people have been at the heart of the Arab Spring and of the 20^th February movement of Morocco. Their demands have been   more democracy, social justice, transparency and accountability. This paper argues that although the social unrest is taking place in countries with very different structures, the history and context of these movements have one thing in common: young overqualified people in a precarious situation and who have become mobilized through the power of social networks. (See the full text in pdf)

This paper analyzes the deep-rooted problems of the prevailing political economy in the Arab region. Throughout the past two decades, neoliberal economic reforms were initiated forcefully in the development of the region. These economic reform projects, like privatization and free market economy, have substantially increased GDP growth and human development, such as access to education and healthcare. However, they have proven futile in the attainment of an equitable distribution of income, in increasing the living standards of individuals, and in alleviating poverty.After two decades of economic reform and structural adjustment projects, the overall organization of political and economic power has been conveniently manipulated by and into the hands of a few elites. The rule of law, transparency and good governance were not effectively implemented.It will be argued that subsequent Arab governments, especially in Egypt and Tunisia, are not effectively addressing the factors that have led to the wave of Arab uprisings. (See the full text in pdf)

Timo Behr, Research Fellow at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs, examines some of the major debates and narratives that have developed on the origins of the Arab Spring. In order to do so, his paper 'Talking about Revolution" critically review the main structural, institutional, technological, and ideationalexplanations for the Arab Spring protests. What has been the explanatory value of each of thesefactors? How are they connected? And what do they suggest about the future of the Arab Spring?

While the paper treat these different explanations as analytically separate elements for the purpose of this analysis, it argues that ultimately a multivariate explanation is needed. The paper conclude with some consideration about what these various explanations tell us about the future prospects of the Arab authoritarian system. (See all the EuroMeSCo Papers)

The elections in Egypt and the steps that the country should take on Foreign and Domestic Policy are analyzed by Patrycja Sasnal, Nadine Abdalla Robert Springborg and Chérine Chams El-Dine in four new EuroMeSCo briefs. Furthermore, Salam Kawakibi describes the critical situation in Syria and Helle Malmvig analyzes the new geopolitics of the Middle East following the Arab Spring. 
(Read the briefs)