The Arab World Revolutions: Causes and Effects

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Tunisia and Egypt
Libya and Yemen
Revolution in Syria
Effects of Turkey domestic politics
References

Introduction

Arab nations experienced a wave of tempestuousness triggered by revolutionary ideologies of “reform and regime change.” (Rhodes 38)

The actions ranged from peaceful demonstrations to military confrontation. Most of these Arabic states succeeded in electing new regimes run on a pedestal of transparency and democracy. The nations that experienced the uprising were regimes under totalitarian rule; the uprisings ushered in an era of new political dispensation where dictators and “inefficient regimes” were substituted with elected regimes. (Rhodes 38)

Several political and socio-economic issues contributed to these revolutions and uprisings. This paper seeks to explore these issues and also to highlight on the impacts the revolutions had on the regimes.

Tunisia and Egypt

The genesis of this Arab revolution was in Tunisia, the uprising led to the ouster of Ben Ali’s regime. Corruption and oppression stood out as the primary reasons for regime change in Tunisia. Socio-economic issues played a significant role in fuelling the protests. It began by the death of Bouazizi, a young street vendor who killed himself after harassment by the authority, later the labour unions enjoined the protests thus boosting it. Later on, Ben Ali dissolved the government and fled.

Egyptians, tired of the oppressive monolith regime of Mubarak, staged a civil disobedience that saw unprecedented protests in the country. The regime suppressed individual liberty like free speech. This led to the dissolution of the government and resignation of the president. Currently, Egypt is currently seeking to enact a new constitution.

Libya and Yemen

Libya had been under the firm rule of Gaddaffi who seized power through a coup in 1969; Gaddaffi suspended the constitution and introduced the “green book” for “guidance.” Of Libyans, the regime tolerated no dissident and threatened executions for the opponents.

In February, 2011, Libya witnessed the beginning of a massive unrest after the arrest of a human rights activist in Benghazi. (Hilsum 36)The peaceful demonstrations had been met with brutal force by the regime leading to a full confrontation that pushed Libya to the brink of precipice of a prolonged civil war. The regime offered to institute some reforms which were rejected by the opposition. The revolt later got a boost when several government officials enjoined them. In the final days, Gaddaffi was captured and killed by the opposition who got a lot of military existence from France.. (Pridham 332)

Yemeni citizens demanded reformed socio-economic policies to improve employment, and better their living conditions. The ubiquitous and systemic corruption of the regime became widespread and alarming. (Pridham 332) the protests increased when the Yemeni government proposed to amend the constitution. Later in April, the president agreed to a concession to sign a transition agreement but later spurned it. Eventually, the Vice president took over after Saleh was injured in an attack and this paved way for transition.

Revolution in Syria

Syria had been under a totalitarian rule of Baath party since 1970. In 2002, Bashar al-Assad took power after the death of his father who had ruled the nation for 30 years. The entrance of the younger Assad in 2000 opened up a democratic space, albeit, momentarily. Assad regime has been accused of, “oppression and having tyrannical tendencies.”(Rhodes 38) Freedom of expression was a mirage under him with total government control of the internet and the media. (Parker 97)

The conflict began on January, 2011 with fiddling demonstrations but later erupted into large uprising. The army was used to quell the protest. It is alleged that the military used fire to kill the protesters and this led to the defection of several military personnel who joined the opposition protesters. The protest proceeded to an armed conflict after the regime was accused of immense killing of protesters

Assad has continually accused foreign powers of having a hand in the conflict although the role of religion has been postulated to be a factor as sectarian violence has been witnessed. So far, it is estimated that 55,000 lives have been lost in the strife. Currently, the war (which is still going on) has seen the government lose some of its major installations yet the regime is adamantly stuck in power. (Pridham 332)

Effects of Turkey domestic politics

Turkey is a member of NATO, it is bound by the NATO treaty; it cannot offer any military solution to any side in Syria even if it wanted to. (Octav 213)

The PKK, a military outfit hostile to Turkey and labelled as terrorists by the US, signed a concession with Syria allowing it to operate in the Kurdish regions. This complicated relations between Syria and Turkey. (Octav 213)

Alevis Kurdish tribe favour the left wing in Turkey, this group resented the opposition to Syrian regime by the Turkish government, they viewed the revolution as project of the west.However, the Sunnis in Turkey supported the anti regime revolution (Tachau 112) The geopolitical relationship between the nations has had a varied impact on the relationship between the two nations. (Pridham 451)

References

Oktav, Özden Zeynep. Turkey in the 21st century: quest for a new foreign policy. Burlington, VT: Ashgate, 2011.Print.

Parker, Richard Bordeaux. The politics of miscalculation in the Middle East. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1993. Print.

Rhodes, Fred. Syria: Revolution from Above. (Book Review). The Middle East 1 Dec. 2002: 34-42. Print.

Schleifer, Yigal. “Turkey aims for clout as regional mediator. (WORLD).” The Christian Science Monitor 6, May 2008: 18-33. Print.

Tachau, Frank. Turkey, the politics of authority, democracy, and development. New York: Praeger, 1984. Print.

Pridham, B. R. Contemporary Yemen: politics and historical background. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1984. Print.

Hilsum, Lindsey. Sandstorm: Libya in the time of revolution. New York: Penguin Press, 2012. Print.

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