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Collapse of the Arab world necessitates a regional solution

Iran and the United States should overcome their differences to lead the international community in helping prevent further state collapse within the Arab world.
People inspect damage at a site hit by what activists said were barrel bombs dropped by forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in Aleppo's district of al-Sukari March 7, 2014.  REUTERS/Hosam Katan (SYRIA - Tags: CIVIL UNREST POLITICS TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY CONFLICT)         FOR BEST QUALITY IMAGES ALSO SEE: GF2EA42122E01 - RTR3G63Q

The Arab world is in turmoil. The Arab Spring, which raised hopes and dreams for a wave of democratic reforms throughout the Middle East, is turning into a cold winter.

Egypt, once the pillar of the Arab states, has been on a political roller coaster since 2012. The country is occupied with a democratization dilemma, establishing security and responding to the nation's economic demands. These challenges will keep Cairo busy for the next decade trying to recover its traditional position as the leading state in the Arab world. It is noteworthy that Iran and Egypt, home to two of the world's oldest major civilizations, have been competing since the 1979 Iranian Revolution to exert their influence in the region.

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