The Role of Virtual, Social Networks in the Middle East Developments, A Case Study of Egypt and Tunisia

The Middle East Islamic awakening developments influenced by the universal norms of the Islamic Revolution of Iran have significant features and dimensions. One of the noteworthy issues related to the inception and expansion of the developments in the Arabic Middle East is the role of modern media, the Internet, and virtual and social networks. The role of the media, particularly social networks, in these rapid revolutionary developments in the region is undeniable. The media, the Internet, and virtual and social networks raised the information among different groups of people, particularly the youth, and facilitated and accelerated the developments in the region. Directing public opinion in social networks took place in two steps: creation of networks in cyberspace and creation of networks and partnership in real space. This paper evaluates the role of the media and social networks in the developments in the Arabic Middle East focusing on Egypt and Tunisia. In fact, the paper seeks to explore the impact of social networks on the political and social developments in Egypt and Tunisia. Our hypothesis is that social networks weakened the authority of the totalitarian and unpopular Arabic governments and expansion of public movements in Egypt and Tunisia. In general, it can be pointed out that globalization and virtual media left huge impacts on the developments in the countries in North Africa and the Arabic Middle East.