The Arab Spring, a series of movements that ignited the Middle East at the onset of thisdecade, quickly became synonymous with the term "revolution."
The West was also quick to pounce on this bandwagon, latching on to the opportunity topromote itself as a supporter of democracy.
But alas, a couple of years on, most of those experts, writers and analysts have startedbackpedaling on their own arguments presented just a few years ago.
Revolution, in its literal sense, means: a forcible overthrow of a government or social order,in favor of a "new system." Although the Arab Spring indeed saw a forcible overthrow ofvarious regimes, was the aim of a "new system" achieved? Was a more equitable socialorder established?
Tunisia was the first casualty of the Arab Spring. A fruit vendor named Mohamed Bouazizion December 17, 2010 immolated himself to death to protest against injustice. His self-immolation catalyzed movements that spread throughout the country, and forced thenTunisian president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali to step down. But did Tunisia achieve change?
The Al-Nahda Movement assumed power through a smooth transition without disturbingthe secular constitution, but has widely been criticized for promoting Wahhabism in thecountry. Its followers have frequently attacked bars and shops for selling alcohol.
Egypt followed suit. Tahrir Square roared with chants of change calling for then presidentHosni Mubarak to quit. Mubarak, with the military on his side, initially resisted, but had tosuccumb to public demands and paved way for the famous elections that saw the Islamic-inclined Muslim Brotherhood rise to power.
The all-powerful Egyptian army allowed democracy to flourish for a short interval,watching events unfold with president Mohamed Morsi making unpopular legislation anddecisions.
Such was the public image created for the Brotherhood and Morsi that the same Tahrircrowd, which once cheered for democracy, gathered again calling for the army to interveneand overthrow a democratically elected government. Again, was it a revolution?
Libya to a larger extent was a casualty of collateral damage in the Arab Spring. The "pro-democracy" rebels, magnified by the media and supported by Western forces and AlQaeda-affiliated militias were successful in quickly disposing of the four-decade long rulingMuammar Gaddafi, along with liberating Tripoli.
Libya is now considered a stronghold of various Islamist militias willing to kill scores to gainauthority and influence. The same militias didn't even spare a US diplomat, forgetting thefact that the US was one of the main backers of the rebel movement.
【1】 【2】（Editor：LiangJun、Yao Chun） Related reading
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