What You Need to Know About the Unrest in the Middle East

Experts explain why what happens in that volatile region matters to you

Mohammad Huwais  /  AFP — Getty

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The surging unrest in numerous countries in the Middle East and northern Africa is a complex and fast-moving story. To help make sense of it, msnbc.com asked experts to share their insights on the protests, answer readers’ questions, and explain why what happens in that volatile region matters.

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FROM THE ARCHIVES: One Year Ago — March 31, 2010

Muqtada al-Sadr on the March in Iraq

Thousands of demonstrators march during a rally at Firdous Square in Baghdad, Nov. 21, 2008. (Photo credit: Ali al-Saadi / AFP — Getty Images)

One year ago today, I reported that Iraq’s political disarray had deepened, with potential kingmaker Muqtada al-Sadr withholding his support from the two biggest election winners — the blocs of Ayad Allawi and Nouri al-Maliki — and saying he would ask his supporters to make their choice in a referendum.

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FROM THE ARCHIVES: Two Years Ago — March 31, 2009

White House Attack Will “Amaze”

Al-Qaida’s next high-value target

Two years ago today, on March 31, 2009, I reported that Baitullah Mehsud, commander of the Pakistani Taliban, claimed responsibility for a deadly assault on a Pakistani police academy and said the group was planning a terrorist attack on the White House that would “amaze” the world.