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Donor responses to political upheaval: A study of foreign aid allocation post-Arab Spring

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  • Abdalla Muktad

Abstract

This research aims to explore the impact of the Arab Spring on the total foreign aid provided to countries affected by this event. The primary focus is on how financial assistance is distributed by donors, distinguishing between support for government and civil society, and contrasting it with humanitarian aid and other types of assistance. In addition, this research investigates the potential indirect effect of the Arab Spring on the distribution of foreign aid to Arab countries that were not directly affected by the event. The aim is to assess whether foreign assistance has been reallocated, from unaffected Arab nations to those affected by the Arab Spring after 2010, and vice versa. The paper uses the synthetic difference-in-differences method (SDID), a new causal inference method that combines the synthetic control and difference-in-differences method to accomplish these goals. The results underscore foreign aid allocations’ intricate and dynamic characteristics following transformative events like the Arab Spring. Unforeseen shifts defy the study's initial assumptions, emphasizing the crucial influence of contextual factors in shaping donor decisions.

Suggested Citation

  • Abdalla Muktad, 2026. "Donor responses to political upheaval: A study of foreign aid allocation post-Arab Spring," The Journal of International Trade & Economic Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 35(4), pages 895-917, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:jitecd:v:35:y:2026:i:4:p:895-917
    DOI: 10.1080/09638199.2026.2661598
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