Accounting for Change - Monarchism, Oil, and the Coercive Apparatus
A few years after the Arab Spring began numerous protests from Middle East countries emerged. Many protests have failed to challenge their political leaders. However, in spite of these disenchantments, a golden opportunity is provided by the Arab Spring. Unrests in Arab countries have been endless and the revolution of Arab culture has been gradual. The presence of oil wealth and monarchism has reduced the likelihood of an uprising through the establishment of barriers to protest escalation. Tunisia and Egypt have had protests against bad leaders. These actions have played a significant part in determining the survival of their regimes. On 17th December 2011, a Tunisian protester burned himself down in the streets to protest his treatments at the authorities’ hands. He was upset by the infamous regime that was infringing their rights and going against the law. As a result, this action triggered more protests in the country and the government was destabilized. A similar protest was done in Egypt to remove the sitting president (Noueihed 224).
The Awakening
Iranians have been interpreting Saudi Arabia’s mood, considering it a nation that hungers for war. Recent news depict that the climate in the GCC is heading towards confrontation on Syrian soil. This is similar to what happened during the cold war in Afghanistan. Subsequently, a decision has been made and taken to conquer Syrian regime. At the beginning the Awakening, the genuine impulse has been absorbed and subsumed into three main political schemes; a military Salafist project, a Muslim Brotherhood project, and a Saudi-Qatari-Salafist project. However, the nature of the Brotherhood projects is unknown. It is not clear whether it is truly a mainstream or a sect. Consequently, it is creating real fear. Sometimes the Brotherhood presents a face to the world, a pragmatic, but extra voices from the movement. Clearly, the Brotherhood tone is among the sectarian grievances of the militant. As a direct counter to the Brotherhood project, the joint-Saudi-Salafist project is funded by the Saudi sate.
Unlike Saudi Arabia, Qatar pursues a different line. Seemingly, it is attempting to circumscribe and contain the brotherhood. On the face of it, the Brotherhood requires Gulf funding in order to pursue its aim of getting the major seat of power at the table.
The ‘Third Project’
The Third Project is highly armed and funded by Qatar and Saudi Arabia as a ‘cultural revolution’. Unlike Brotherhood, the Third Project does not aim at containing, but to relocate traditional Sunnism with the Salafism culture. However, this influence is seen to develop exponentially. Though not radically political, it abhors conventional politics to displace traditional Sunnism. More fundamental elements envision, and go further to hold the territory. With this mission, a big political and cultural political swift is set to begin. Introversion is narrowing down into uncertainties and introversion into the truth about the society. Obviously, it’s no fluke that movements seeking political office are demanding education portfolios, and culture instead of security and justice. Ideally, the motives of these Gulf States are plain. Saudi dollars and Qatari claim to have succeeded the prophet’s side ‘Quraiysh’. However, this is intended to turn-over the Sunni in order to reassert a new leadership by spreading culture of the Salafist.
Historically, a number of the radical Sunni recipients who attained financial donations from Saudi Arabia have gradually proved to be literalist, most violent, dangerous and intolerant groups, to those who entrust them, and to other Muslim brothers. However, all these projects are presumed to be to overlap in various parts, if this happens, they will end up clashing violently. Salafism of the radical and of the Saudi are at present being fired-up in Lebanon, Iraq, North Africa, Syria, and the horn of Africa. This is the reason why Russia is very concerned. Apparently, Central Asia not likely to prove immune as its leaders recollect the impact on Russia’s backyard. Subsequently, the evolving shift of culture has an additional dimension; a theme of a pan-Muslim community which is rampant today. This shift towards re-imagining the Muslim culture appears to dissolve their states (Ray 87).
Cultural Shift
There has been demand for recognition over the past few years where countries such as Israel have expressed their opinions about a Jewish nation-state. Similarly, Palestine has demanded for legal rights which have been affected by cultural impulse towards polity and a wider Islamic nation. To some people, these protests are gloomy because they have no regard for international law.
Inherent Unsound and Inflated Western Expectations
Syria is known to be crucible of external coercions. The majority of Syrians do not see the reform but the struggle to reforms. Without doubt, Syria is entering a turbulent and profound struggle to define Islam, and its future. The truth of the matter lies with the intent of these nations. Qatar, Saudi Arabia and other Persian Gulf Arab states are making efforts to turn the clock in order to preserve their despotic, selfish, and corrupt regimes. However, the force of time seems to shove then down into history. Regarding the turbulent developments in the Arab world, reports depict that Tunisia is similar to Egypt. These nations are facing official corruption, tough economic conditions, and minute opportunities for their citizens. In Syria for instance, more than 100,000 people were killed due to political divisions that delayed the new constitution, while Egypt has been considered the trendsetter of the Arab world (Sakbani 23). The unclear part is the ‘replacement model’. Researchers reveal that economic and political stagnation for decades is the root cause of all these uprisings. In different ways, the Arab Spring has aggravated and revealed deep societal splits, between different religious sects, and between Islamists and secularists. The majority of Middle East economies that are pummeled by the Arab Spring are heading in the wrong direction. Apparently, the uprisings are caused by economic distress which is triggered by joblessness, swelling youth population, and rising prices.
Works Cited
Lotan, Gilad, et al. "The Arab Spring| the revolutions were tweeted: Information flows during the 2011 Tunisian and Egyptian revolutions." International Journal of Communication 5 (2011): 31.
Noueihed, Lin, and Alex Warren. The Battle for the Arab Spring: Revolution, Counter- Revolution and the Making of a New Era. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2012. Print.
Ray, Tapas. "The'story'of digital excess in revolutions of the Arab Spring." Journal of Media Practice 12.2 (2011): 189-196.
Sakbani, Michael. "The revolutions of the Arab Spring: are democracy, development and modernity at the gates?." Contemporary Arab Affairs 4.2 (2011): 127-147.
