In 2010 and 2011, the oppressed peoples of Tunisia, Libya, Egypt and other Middle East and North Africa nations rose up against long-entrenched dictatorships. This era, known as the Arab Spring, helped bring the promise of democracy to millions of people who, during their lifetimes, never had the opportunities to select their own leaders. But transitions to democracy have not been seamless in these countries as many of them have faced armed conflict and even civil war.