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David Vielhaber: The Arab Spring narrative of a democratic transformation in the Middle East and North Africa is wrong. The result of the political upheavals is regression, not progression. NATO needs to come to terms with reality for the alliance to find the right approach in the post ‘Arab Spring’ environment.
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Gautier Uchiyama: About one year after the Arab Spring, North Africa is living its first steps toward democracy and the rule of law. But there is fourth common misinterpretation or misconception about the last spring riots that must be corrected.
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Dmitriy Burov: The 2011 Arab spring engendered a hotbed of instability in the region. NATO, as an effective political organization, has huge potential for bringing peace and order to the Middle East and North Africa through initiating a number of the steps listed below.
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Karen Joy Harriger : In order for NATO to support the transition process in its Mediterranean Dialogue partner countries, its methods must focus on both encouraging the development of civil-military governments and ensuring that these governments grow in strength over time.
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Julian Christopher Fuchs: For its future Middle East strategy, NATO needs to work together with the Arab militaries as the most decisive and responsive actors in the (post-) revolutionary setting and employ a policy of effective conditionality, thus facilitating a lasting democratic transition and stability.
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Sarah Wagner: Although the Arab Spring seems to demand engagement by NATO, this should not occur unless NATO has sufficiently analyzed its involvement in Afghanistan, the demands and realities on the Arab ground, and its opportunities for support. Such an approach could result in more lasting support for NATO.
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Danilo Pennisi: Today, security for Europe is defense from international terrorism, weapons and drug traffic. Because North African states are gateways for these threats, we should push to create a sort of military alliance with North African states in order to make security more inclusive.
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Isabelle Natalie Siqu Summerson: NATO should establish an online education and skills training program aimed at young people in order to reduce inequality in regional partner countries in the Middle East and North Africa. The ability to reach young people important if we are to connect with the next generation of leaders.
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Costinel Anuta: Even though the title seems paradoxical, since Libya is not (yet) a member of the Mediterranean Dialogue (MD), a successful aftermath of the Operation Unified Protector is the key for the MD future. Failure in Libya would hurt NATO"s agenda in the entire region.
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Keri Elise Majikes: Arguing that NATO should selflessly help the Arab world transition to democratic governments through political or military programs is not only unrealistic, it’s unsustainable. Instead of trying to encourage altruistic programs to artificially create a democratic environment, NATO should focus
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