2011 Arab World Protests

Across North Africa and parts of the Middle East, the biggest story in recent news has been a series of mass-protests from the people of Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt, and several other countries of the de-facto Arab-speaking world. I've been keeping rather focused upon it, since it's been a really interesting scenario of how these events have unfolded. But lately, the attention has been drawn upon Egypt - the protests surrounding the forced expulsion of their president Hosni Mubarak. Some of these demonstrations across these countries have included demonstrations, riots, and even self-immolation; something I've been unfamiliar with since the Buddhist monk who did so in protest of the Vietnam war. I wanted to examine the case at issue with these protests, since it could present some interesting political changes across these countries.

Tunisia has apparently been the tipping point: What I've read from several sources was the people's general exasperation over problems with unemployment, corruption, and poverty became targeted upon their president, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. Ben Ali has since fled Tunsia with his wife, and Interpol has a warrant out for their arrest. An interim president, Fouad Mebazaa, has been appointed according to the Tunisian constitution, but the protests continue to this day.

And then, there's Egypt. Under the similar circumstances, the people have been revolting under the 30-year regime of president Mubarak in reaction to his administration of repression and human rights violations. Mubarak has not stepped down as of this writing, but has revamped his administration and appointed a new Vice President. Needless to say, the people do not seem at all pleased.

I am in agreement with a lot of the news pundits who believe that this is an excellent opportunity for the governments of these countries to finally respond in full to the requests of their people, and allow a true democratic forum. Unfortunately, the response from those like Mubarak I feel has been less than adequate; cutting off Egypt's internet access, temporarily restricting cellphone use, and appointing new leaders who reputedly follow the same ideology as he does is doubtfully the step in the right direction. It's also an incredibly difficult situation for international relations, especially in the US's case, because Mubarak has been an important ally in combating the War on Terror. Still, I feel that regardless of whether or not one supports a greater cause, if a leader cannot govern their people and be expected to adhere to his or her people's expectations, then there is unquestionably a problem. The people should always come first in any circumstance, which is why these events are rather unnerving to me in the event that they represent the effects of large-scale government that has lost control and trust over it's subjects.

Revolutions are unpredictable, do we remember how quickly Iran's protests were silenced after Mamoud Ahmadinejad took power, once again? Who knows what will come out of the protests currently in effect now. At this point though, it seems the groundwork has been laid clear, at least for Egypt - Mubarak's presidency will cease to exist, or will never be the same. I hope whatever comes out of this, the people of these countries will finally get the representation they appear to have been fighting for. Whether the internet, or advances in community organization and journalism are responsible for these events, the people have found their voice, now it is being heard.

If you have family living in any of these countries, my thoughts are with you.
- Jon