INTERPRETING THE ARAB SPRING:
CAN DEMOCRACY WORK IN THE MIDDLE EAST?
Mgr. Eva Taterova, M.A., Ph.D.
Middle East Crossroads

ARAB SPRING
•December 2010: Mohamed Bouazizi‘s self-immolation in Tunisia à protest against president Bin Ali‘s
government à spread to almost all other Arab countries
(a significant surprise for the whole world).
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•Various reasons for the protests: economic troubles, difficult social situation, corruption,
limited human and political right.
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•Role of the new media and social networks such as Facebook and Twitter.

SITUATION AFTER ARAB SPRING
Výsledek obrázku pro middle east before arab spring


ARAB SPRING AND ITS CONSEQUENCES
•Initial strengthening of civil society and democracy, which in most cases did not last (the most
successful transition to democracy in Tunisia).
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•Stable but often very brutal autocracies plunged into chaos (Syria, Yemen, Libya), or the exchange
of one dictatorial regime for another (Egypt).
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•In the ensuing chaos, radicals have been strengthening.
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•The power of the USA is weakening, it slightly strengthens the influence of Russia (Syria), China,
the regional power Turkey is trying to become a local hegemon.
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•Refugee waves, humanitarian disasters, devastation or stagnation of economies, rising inequality
and poverty.

SITUATION AFTER ARAB SPRING
•A stable but often very brutal autocracy sinks into chaos (Syria, Yemen, Libya)  or the resurgence
of autocracy (Egypt).
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•In the ongoing chaos, radicals of all kinds are strengthening - from secularists (clan warlords in
Syria or Kurdish militias) to religious extremists (ISIS, An-Nusra).
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•Weakening US power, slightly strengthening influence of Russia (Syria), China, regional power
Turkey is trying to become a local hegemon.
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•Response of Europe?
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WAR IN SYRIA (since 2011)
—March 2011 demonstrations against Bashar Assad‘s regime.
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—Bashar Assad decide to suppress the uprisings with the help of the army à the conflict escalated
in regular civil war.
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—Massive damages: more than 470,000 death, more 3 millions of refugees – huge violation of the
human rights (torture, political prisoners, weapons of massive destruction).
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—Syria has become the battlefield of the great powers such as Iran, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Turkey
and others.
—
Syria conflict: All parties committed war crimes in Aleppo - UN - BBC News

WAR IN SYRIA (since 2011)
•Assad‘s supporters:
•Syrian government forces.
•Hizballah.
•Russia, Iraq, Iran.
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•Opposition:
•National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces
•Islamic state.
•An-Nusra Fronte (close connections to al-Kaida).
•Turkey, Qatar, Saudi Arabia.




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•CAN DEMOCRACY WORK IN THE MIDDLE EAST?

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•THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION