Stupid Reasons to be Skeptical of the Arab Spring
There are many challenges to real reform in the Middle East. These are none of them Now that these longstanding rulers are no longer in power in the two countries, where do these seemingly leaderless Arab revolts take Tunisians and Egyptians, and how will they effect change to their systems of governance? Virtually all previous … Read more
What Does a Successful Arab Revolution Look Like?
So far, the Arab Awakening has toppled two regimes, in Egypt and Tunisia. Obviously, both countries have fared far better than their bloodier counterparts in Syria and Libya, but serious problem remain. Both countries have postponed elections (both until October – though this is not necessarily a bad thing) and have experienced revolutionary flashbacks with … Read more
The Arab Spring and the Fall of Hezbollah, Con’t
Yesterday I argued, in response to Nicholas Noe and Thanassis Cambanis’ respective eulogies of Hezbollah, that the group’s (perhaps) unwise support of the Assad regime in the face of popular protests would not bring about the group’s destruction. The sectarian divisions in Lebanon (and the weaker, secular Shi’ite party Amal) means that Hezbollah will be able … Read more
Quick Notes on Saudi Arabia
While all the hoopla has continued throughout the Middle East, Western media has focused (as have I) in on the situation in Libya, as it is more a war zone than a simple sea of turmoil. Consequently, protests and uprisings in other countries have been left alone. Michael Collins Dunn reminds us of the revolutionary … Read more
Surrounding Israel and Losing the Middle East
Did Obama lose Egypt? Did he lose the entire Middle East? With the revolutions and protests that are sweeping the region, Saudi Arabian real estate agents have been making a fortune on American backed dictators. While it is difficult to pin down exactly what the United States desires in the Middle East, the ability of … Read more
