After a half century, Islamism has become the single most disruptive force—both politically and militarily—in the Middle East. The United States has found itself entangled in the region's turmoil, with military involvement in an Arab nation's revolution. The Arab world is a complex web of conflicts, from domestic disputes to regional tensions, and the U.S. has often been drawn into the fray.
Marginalized for decades under former presidents Habib Bourguiba and Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, the Tunisian military has begun to see its power rise in the aftermath of a revolution. The Tunisian Revolution sparked a series of uprisings across the Arab world, leading to a wave of political change that caught the attention of global powers, including the United States.
The Islamic State, al-Qaeda-linked groups, Boko Haram, and other extremist movements are protagonists in today's deadliest crises, drawing international attention and concern. The U.S. has been forced to navigate the complexities of these conflicts, often being pulled into military operations to combat these threats.
Over the last three years, the African Sahel region has witnessed a wave of coups d'état in seven countries, further destabilizing an already volatile region. The U.S. has been monitoring these developments closely, as the Sahel's instability poses a threat to regional and global security.
Egypt and Syria unified as the United Arab Republic (UAR) between 1958 and 1961, guided by shared ambitions of pan-Arabism, anti-Zionism, and anti-Communism. The U.S. has historically been involved in the Middle East's political landscape, often shaping the course of events in the region.
The president was wary. The secretary of state was persuasive. But the ouster of Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi left Libya a failed state and a breeding ground for extremism. The U.S.'s intervention in Libya's revolution had unintended consequences, highlighting the challenges of military involvement in complex political situations.
Not since the Suez crisis and the Nasser-fueled uprisings of the 1950s has the Middle East seen so much unrest. The U.S. has had to navigate a region in constant flux, balancing its strategic interests with the need for stability and peace.
Tunis, Tunisia (CNN) -- The little Arab country that started the region's wave of revolutions has wildly divergent reactions to the arrival of American troops. The U.S.'s presence in Tunisia has sparked mixed reactions, reflecting the complex dynamics at play in the region.
