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.

Syria, once an Arab power, faces crisis and human tragedy on a monumental scale. The United Nations calls the situation of Syria’s refugees the “greatest humanitarian tragedy of our times.” According to a European Commission fact sheet published in June, 10.8 million people affected by the crisis are in need of humanitarian assistance. Close to 7 million are internally displaced, and almost 3 million have fled the country. More than 160,000 have lost their lives, and many thousands have been injured. All international efforts to end the civil war and sectarian conflict have failed, and there is no sign of peace on the horizon. Against this backdrop, Iran's main objective has remained preventing the total collapse of Syria.

Iraq, another Arab power, is on the brink of disintegration, descending toward a failed state. Sectarian conflicts are tearing the country apart. The Islamic State, the Salafist jihadist group, has taken over several cities and towns in Syria and Iraq and has declared a caliphate. Many observers maintain that politically polarized Iraq, threatened by the coalition of extremist Sunni groups and Baathist remnants, may cease to exist as a nation and a state. Iran is investing a tremendous amount of resources toward preventing the disintegration of Iraq and its falling into the hands of extremists.