At the May 2011 Istanbul Seminars organized by Reset-Dialogues on Civilizations, five important thinkers came together from around the world to debate “The Promises, Challenges and Expectations of the 1989 of the Arab World.” With Giancarlo Bosetti as the moderator, Abdullahi An-Na’im, Seyla Benhabib, Akeel Bilgrami, Giuliano Amato and Soli Özel analyzed the individual aspects of the Arab Spring, emphasizing the complex dynamics involved. These are the complete transcripts of this event.