ABSTRACT

Currently the Middle East is undergoing its most tumultuous phase of change. Scholars analyzing the events sweeping the Arab World, however, have been cautious in steering towards any predefined conclusions. They are amongst the many who continue to grapple with implications of the ongoing day-to-day upheavals. Seemingly an unending “transitional” period, the Middle East faces manifold challenges of transition – especially with the recent Egyptian military ouster of Mohamed Morsi. It leaves to be seen if the military intervention will help advance any notion of stability in Egypt. On the other hand, the forceful purging of Muslim Brotherhood from the Egyptian political scene clearly brings about grim prospects for political Islam everywhere. From the Centre for Research on Islamic and Malay Affairs’ (RIMA) Dr. Nawab Osman specifically brings about a Southeast Asian viewpoint on the impact of Morsi’s ouster on Islamist parties in the region. Whereas, MEI’s Dr. Benjamin Geer details repercussions of the recent military intervention for the Middle East, whose uprisings still continue to reverberate far and wide.