The Arab Spring Exposed Absorbing Truths

The Land of Thirst by Eugéne Fromentin 

The Arab Spring has revealed some interesting truths.

North of Africa

In December 2010, the "Arab" Spring kicked off in Tunisia. The Tunisian revolution occurred; Ben Ali was toppled and soon afterwards Tunisians set sail towards the democratisation of their country (N.B: there has been a few bumps in the road, but Tunisia shows signs of being able to solve its issues).

In January 2011, Egyptians followed the Tunisian example and fought until they toppled Hosni Mubarak. Egypt hoped and believed to be walking on the path of democratisation, although several factors (mainly political immaturity on the part of the people) prevented a process similar to that of Tunisia's.

In February 2011, Libyans began fighting against Muammar Gaddafi. Libyan citizens organised themselves and asked the West for help (which they received). Gaddafi was eventually toppled and democracy was ushered into Libya (despite the constant radical Islamist attempts to destabilise the country).

Middle East

In January 2011, Yemeni nationals hit the streets determined to topple President Saleh. After much struggle against suppression they succeeded. A year and a month later, Yemenites elected their new president (curiously enough, the only electoral candidate).

In January 2011, Syrians went to the streets to protest against Bashar al-Assad; only to see their valid demands being hijacked by bigger political actors. Result: two years and two months later, what was thought to be a civil war, became an international war fought between Iran and Saudi Arabia (i.e. Shiites Vs Sunnis), at the expense of the common Syrian people (N.B: this blog does not advocate for a western intervention in Syria, for the reasons explained Here; nevertheless we do acknowledge the harm that both Iranian and Saudi proxies [Al-Assad forces and Al-Nusra respectively] are causing to Syrians).

In February 2011, Bahrain witnessed its version of the Arab Spring which was received with suppression and oppression. The people has not succeeded in reaching their goals.

So, what truths did the Arab Spring reveal after all? In a nutshell:

1. North Africa and Middle East are two different regions with two different mind-sets (unlike what many political pundits would like to make us believe [since they always refers to North of Africa as ME - I would frankly like to see them justifying their geo-perversion]).
2. Libyans and Tunisians, for instance, proved that it is possible for Muslims to speak out against radical Islamists, and to do whatever to prevent that lot from hijacking their nation.
3. The establishment of the New Global Caliphate is not a universal Muslim ambition; since the majority in the Ummah just want to live their life in a free society, without having certain groups controlling their lives and telling them how to be Muslims.
4. The Palestinian-Israeli conflict is not the centre-piece of the common Muslim thoughts and lives (note how the subject has been slowly losing its position in the list of Arab priorities).
5. Some Muslim powers invest heavily in the destabilisation of the Middle East.
6. The Muslim youth, in MENA, aspire to a Turkish model of democracy.
7. Morocco and Jordan proved that Muslim monarchs can hearken their people's demands and quickly adjust themselves to democracy (i.e. to eventually become a modern, strong and long-lasting Constitutional Monarchy). 

The Arab Spring sifted the radical militants from the common peaceful citizen. Does it all seem like a big mess (especially when we look at Egypt and others)? Yes, it does; but the dust of revolutions take time to settle...Meanwhile, let's reflect on the truths it exposed.