Since the start of the new millennium‎,‎ Arab countries have been affected by the US‎-led ‎'‎war on terror‎'‎ and the pressures exerted by the US administration‎,‎ which calls for political reforms and the spreading of democracy in the Middle East as part of its counter‎-terrorism campaign‎.‎ In addition‎,‎ Arab nations are experiencing the repercussions arising from the invasion of Iraq and the rebuilding of its political system‎.‎ Along with these external effects‎,‎ these countries are concurrently witnessing internal developments represented by the growing power of political Islam and the rise of popular movements and civil society organizations demanding democracy‎,‎ freedom and human rights‎.‎ In the context of these sociopolitical changes underway in the Arab world‎,‎ it is vital to have an understanding of the dynamics‎,‎ complexities and obstacles involved in spreading democracy in the region‎.‎ This book examines the role of Arab political institutions‎,‎ the influence of non‎-governmental organizations in furthering change and progress and the role played by the for‎.‎‎.‎‎.‎