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== International Influence of the Arab Spring ==
International influence in the [[Arab Spring]] – a sequence of revolutions in the [[Arab world]] that began on 18 December 2010 – is the way in which states outside of the Middle East affected the conflict.<ref> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab_Spring </ref> The extent of this influence is contested among scholars in the field, and thus far, a few studies have been done concerning the role of the [[United States]], [[Europe]], and [[China]]. Although the [[Arab Spring]] officially began in [[Tunisia]], with the [[self-immolation]] of [[Mohamed Bouazizi]], underlying conditions (domestically and internationally) played a role in the subsequent turn of events. At this point, there are two [[schools of thought]]. Some argue international players had a significant role in driving the [[revolution]], and others argue they had minimal influence. 

== General Influence ==
International partnerships have historically existed between the West and the [[Arab world]] for a number of reasons, including economic, political, and social interests. The [[United States]] provides a clear example of this, as they forged a [[Arab-American relations|US-Arab alliance]] following their successful efforts to intervene, and liberate [[Kuwait |Kuwait]] in the 1990s.<ref name=Aliboni>Aliboni, R. (2012.) The international dimension of the [[Arab Spring]]. The International Spectator: Italian Journal of International Affairs. 46(4), 5-9</ref> Other countries have followed suit in forming relationships for a number of different reasons. However, some relationships that have existed in years past have been declining, even before the [[Arab Spring]] began. For the [[United States]], relationships began to deteriorate following the [[September 11 attacks|terrorism attacks of September 11]]. For the [[European Union]], influence in the [[Arab region]] has been on a slow decline for about two decades.<ref name=Aliboni /><ref name=Perthes>Perthes, V. (2011.) Europe and the Arab Spring. Survival: Global Politics and Strategy. 53(6), 73-84</ref><ref name="Snider & Faris">Snider, E. A., Faris D. M., (2011.) The Arab Spring: US democracy promotion in Egypt. Middle East Policy. 18(3), 49-62.</ref> For this reason, some scholars support the assertion that the Arab revolts were largely a product of internal efforts.<ref name=Perthes /> On the contrary, some experts argue that the [[foreign policy]] of powerful states like [[United States]] and the [[European Union]] shaped the conflict, in addition to decisions for intervention that were made as the [[revolution]] played out. As this is such a current event, further research must be done for conclusive results on the international influence in the [[Arab Spring]].

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{{legend2|#00112b|Government overthrown}} {{legend2|#950000|Civil war}} {{legend2|#004a80|Sustained civil disorder and governmental changes}} {{legend2|#00bff3|Protests and governmental changes}} <br>{{legend2|#d64400|Major protests}} {{legend2|#eac27c|Minor protests}} 
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== International Actors ==

=== Europe ===
The role of the [[European Union]] is heavily contested. For two decades before the revolutions, the EU promoted policies of [[democracy]] and economic prosperity in the [[Mediterranean]].<ref name=Hollis>Hollis, R. (2012.) No friend of democratization: Europe's role in the genesis of the ‘Arab Spring’. International Affairs, 88, 81-94.</ref> They have claimed an interest in promoting [[human rights]], [[democracy]], and [[stability]] in the region. Relationships were established through the [[Euro-Mediterranean Partnership|Euro-Mediterranean Partnership (EMP)]] and other organizations, that sought to create a shared "[[Geopolitical|geopolitical space]]."<ref name=Hollis /> While some scholars argue a declining presence in the [[Arab world]], others assert that a weak and exploitative promotion of [[democracy]] in the region catalyzed the [[revolts]].<ref name=Hollis /> [http://rosemaryhollis.com/ Rosemary Hollis], a professor in the field, ultimately concludes that the EU's promotion of [[democracy]] was a shallow façade for the EU to further their own economic and [[national security]] interests, and that this harmful influence spurred the beginnings of the [[Arab Spring]]. 

Others have said that the [[Arab Spring]] was a transformation, where the alliance between the West ([[European Union]], and the [[United States]]) and Arab states was severely weakened.<ref name=Aliboni /> [http://www.iai.it/content.asp?langid=2&contentid=611 Roberto Aliboni], an Italian researcher, argues that the Arab Spring occurred largely because the West failed to intervene. In contrast, the situation in [[Libya]] represents a specific case of [[NATO]] intervention in ousting [[Qaddafi]].<ref name=Jones /> Regardless of how this intervention may have affected [[Libya|Libya's]] revolution, NATO still played a role that shaped the outcome to some extent. The situation between [[NATO]] and [[Libya]] has been studied by multiple scholars.  Some believe [[Libya]] would have been slower to oust [[Qaddafi]] without [[Europe's]] intervention, and others argue the future of [[Libya]] will be decided by Libyans alone, regardless of [[Europe's]] role.<ref name=Perthes />

=== United States ===
The [[United States]] has a history of intervention in the [[Arab world]]. Since the 1990s, they have extended funding for [[democracy]] to a few states, one of them being [[Egypt]].<ref name="Snider & Faris" /> After 9/11, [[democracy promotion]] was elevated to a [[national security]] priority; however, [[Egypt]] resisted U.S. assistance.<ref name="Snider & Faris" /> Snider and Faris, two scholars in the field, argue that [[U.S.]] funding helped empower challengers to the regime. Despite this, [[revolution]] ultimately arose due to internal changes in [[Print journalism|print-journalism]] and strong resistance organizations like [[Kefaya]], meaning "enough" in [[Egyptian Arabic]].<ref name="Snider & Faris" /> 

The [[United States]] has also been known to support the rulers that were overthrown throughout the revolution. However, they stopped backing the despotic dictators when the [[Arab Spring]] began.<ref name=Jones>Jones, P. (2012.) The Arab Spring: opportunities and implications. International Journal, 67, 447-463.</ref> Although the [[U.S.]] played a role in shaping the [[Arab world]] before the conflict, this influence was arguably diminished after the [[revolutions]] began.<ref name=Jones /> It is questionable whether this represents a temporary loss of [[U.S.]] prestige, or a more permanent feature of the [[United States|United State's]] relationship with the [[Arab world]].<ref name=Jones />

=== China ===
[[China]] unintentionally played a role in the [[Arab Spring]] due to the effects of a winter [[crop failure|wheat crop failure]] and a massive [[2010-2011 China drought|Chinese drought]] that occurred in January 2011. This massive drought led the Chinese to buy wheat on the [[international market]], henceforth doubling prices and leading to [[civil unrest]] in [[Egypt]] – the world’s largest wheat importer. [[Egypt|Egypt’s]] geography and population size have led to their dependence on international wheat imports. [[China|China’s]] domestic efforts to alleviate the drought had serious repercussions in [[Egypt]], where [[food riots]] spurred further [[civil unrest]]. These [[food riots]] weakened [[Legitimacy (political)|government legitimacy]] and destabilized the country. This served as a stepping-stone for subsequent civil unrest in [[Egypt]].<ref name=Sternberg>Sternberg, T. (2012.) Chinese drought, bread and the Arab Spring. Applied Geography. 34, 519-524.</ref> Because the [[Arab Spring]] only occurred about two years ago, little research has been done dealing with [[China's]] direct role in the conflict. 

==See also==
{{Portal|Middle East|Africa|Politics|Social movements|2010s}}
* [[Arab Spring]]
* [[International reactions to the Arab Spring]]
* [[Impact of the Arab Spring]]
* [[Timeline of the Arab Spring]]
* [[Foreign Policy of the United States]]
* [[Foreign Relations of China]]
* [[Freedom in the World]]
* [[List of freedom indices]]
* [[List of modern conflicts in North Africa]]
* [[List of modern conflicts in the Middle East]]
* [[List of ongoing military conflicts]]

== Notes ==
{{Reflist}}

== References ==
*Aliboni, R. (2012.) The international dimension of the Arab Spring. The International Spectator: Italian Journal of International Affairs. 46(4), 5-9.
*Hollis, R. (2012.) No friend of democratization: Europe's role in the genesis of the ‘Arab Spring’. International Affairs, 88, 81-94. 
*Jones, P. (2012.) The Arab Spring: opportunities and implications. International Journal, 67, 447-463. 
*Snider, E. A., Faris D. M., (2011.) The Arab Spring: US democracy promotion in Egypt. Middle East Policy. 18(3), 49-62.
*Sternberg, T. (2012.) Chinese drought, bread and the Arab Spring. Applied Geography. 34, 519-524.
*Perthes, V. (2011.) Europe and the Arab Spring. Survival: Global Politics and Strategy. 53(6), 73-84.