The paper analyzes the mass demonstrations in the Middle East through the prism of domestic political processes in the countries engulfed by the «revolutionary wave». The author is not inclined to see in current events the intervention of external forces, at least in the genesis of the developments. It is, rather, about the dynamics of the evolution of dictatorial regimes, methods and forms of realization of which came into conflict with the needs of a powerful local population. At the same time it is precarious to ignore the external, international political dimension of the problem. The Arab revolts are able to give further impetus to Islamization of the region, strengthen terrorist groups, which draw legitimacy in, and want to play on, the political instability, as well as the fact of Western military intervention.