Jamal R. Nassar is chair and professor in the Department of Political Science at Illinois State University. Born in Jerusalem, Palestine, professor Nassar earned a B.A. from Jacksonville University in 1972, an M.A. from the University of South Florida in 1974 and a Ph.D. from the University of Cincinnati in 1978.

Prof. Jamal Nassar to Gulan: Chaos has been the hallmark of the region ever since the success of the Iranian Revolution



Gulan: Middle East gets into a very complicated situation and is about to become a threat to the international security by creating another cold war. In your view, can we say the time of U.S. dominance in the Middle East is shading out?

Nassar: No, the U.S. has recently fortified its presence in the region. With the fall of the Soviet Union and the conflict with Iran as well as the fall of the few remaining anti American regimes to the Arab Spring, the United States is now more dominant in the region than it ever was before.

Gulan: The countries in the area which were allies to the U.S. especially Egypt which is becoming a chaotic country and the Muslim Brotherhood has taken control of the authority. In your view, if Egypt becomes a failed state, to what extent will the Middle Eastern situation be heading toward an overall chaotic condition?

Nassar: Chaos has been the hallmark of the region ever since the success of the Iranian Revolution. It got worse with the Iraq war and the so called Arab Spring. Revolutions tend to contribute to chaos during their transitional period. The region is likely to emerge out of its chaotic and unpredictable situation over the next decade. The Brotherhood in Egypt represented a brief stage in a very long road of a genuine revolution.

Gulan: After the fall of the states which were allies to the U.S., we find both Saudi Arabia and Jordan in an embarrassed situation, especially about the peace process with Israel, and if any further threats emerge on Israel the situation will be more dangerous. In your opinion, if the peace process between Arab and Israel falls in danger, where will the situation be heading to?

Nassar: Right now, the Arabs are busy with their own revolutions at home. They are not so much in tune with a peace process. Eventually, they will pay attention and the Arab failure regarding Israel\'s continued occupation and suppression of Palestinian rights will come to haunt those regimes.

Gulan: Recently we have seen millions of people on the Egyptian streets asking for the downfall of Mursi\'s regime. So in your opinion, is there the probability of civil war between Egyptians and Supporters of Muslim Brotherhood?

Nassar: I do not see a civil war. Rather, I see a long term conflict that is likely to involve assassinations, bombings and occasional attacks on political and military targets.

Gulan: Some experts think that Mursi wants to run from the problems by creating some problems with the neighboring countries and supporting Syrian opposition. So, do you think Mursi is able to settle down the chaotic situation of Egypt?

Nassar: Mursi has become history. He cannot do anything to bring himself back to power.

Gulan: To what extent are the instabilities in the area in the interest of Bashar Assad\'s regime in Syria?

Nassar: Instability in other areas diverts attention from instability in Syria. The Assad regime can benefit from the diversion as well as the fall of Islamists in Egypt.