Reference no: EM132672072

Discussion Issue: The emergence of the democratic movements in the Arab Spring, and the overthrow of many of the regions long-standing rulers, has placed U.S. policy makers in a difficult situation. Given the strategic importance of the region, the U.S. has long had a policy supporting political stability, and has supported many autocratic regimes, some with a history of repression of their domestic populations. At the same time, the U.S. has always been a public advocate of democracy devoting significant resources to democracy promotion. These two competing U.S. interests have led the government to adopt a nuanced approach to the uprisings in the Arab world. Critics have labelled the approach as incoherent, while supporters claim it is necessary and reflects an understanding of the region's differences. Who is right from a policy perspective? Should the U.S. adopt a uniform approach to the conflicts in the Arab Spring, or should the U.S. continue to employ an individualized approach that looks at the circumstances in each country?