Russia’s approach to the Middle East is at a turning point, as the changes associated with the Arab Spring continue to destabilize regimes and alliances and Iran appears to be moving ahead with its nuclear program in defiance of Russia and the West. January 26, 2012
http://www.carnegieendowment.org/2012/01/26/russia-s-strategy-in-middle-east/92mr
One year after the Arab Spring began, Lebanon reflects on its own experience with popular protests during the Cedar Revolution. February 3, 2012 http://www.carnegieendowment.org/2012/02/03/lebanon-on-margins-of-arab-spring/96s6
Arab monarchies have so far survived the unrest of the Arab Spring without major challenges to their authority, but their countries are not immune to the widespread popular discontent. November 22, 2011
http://www.carnegieendowment.org/2011/11/22/arab-monarchies-confront-arab-spring/7p0g
Russia has witnessed an unsettling trend of long-term population decline since the mid-1990s, with alarming mortality rate statistics, falling fertility rates, and waves of emigration draining the nation of its best and brightest. January 26, 2012
http://www.carnegieendowment.org/2012/01/26/russia-s-demographic-crisis/9amk