As the one-year anniversary of the “Arab Spring” approaches, it appears not much good bloomed from it.
Egypt’s military took over the government there, and in the first round of “free” elections, the party aligned with Islamic fundamentalism won the most seats in the assembly. Meanwhile, 16 Americans have their lives hanging in the balance after Egyptian officials arrested them for spying.
Yemen remains in chaos as its government tries to transition from a heavy-handed dictatorship to a more democratic society.
Libya managed to do away with Muammar Gaddafi, but the rebel government remains shaky at best, and pro loyalist forces and militia gangs remain at work against them.
In countries where some hoped the “spring” freedom pollen would spread, the picture looks bleak.
In Iran, despite sanctions and world outcry, the regime has turned its oppression up a notch — and its plans to produce nuclear weapon capability. A real and imminent threat exists for a war between it and Israel.
Life in Syria continues to worsen for many of its people, and huge amounts of chemical weapons sit ready for the taking if the regime collapses and can no longer protect them. Add to that news that U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., have made noise about America helping to arm rebels in Syria. I wonder if lawmakers ever read a history book — or consume the daily news — when it comes to intervening in the ongoing (centuries) of chaos in the Middle East?
And a byproduct of all the unrest? Gas prices have pushed toward $4 a gallon again.
The year from the outset of the “Arab Spring” — prompted by a man in Tunisia who set himself afire in December 2010 to protest ill treatment by police there — passed quickly.
But efforts to extricate the U.S. from the ripple effects caused by the “revolution” continue to drag along with no real answers in sight.
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As someone who has lived and travelled in the Middle East and Turkey. "Spring" is not in the vernacular of any Moslem nation. What's happening now is the culmination of decades of failed policies by Western governments to even partially comprehend the Moslem mentality and how to deal with the Middle East. Morally bankrupt and greedy politicians let their thirst for oil blind them to the potential deadly repercutions of open immigration in return for lower oil prices. (read Orianna Fallacci's The Force of Reason) Obama and his minions are selling out the only ally in the Middle East, Israel, to appease the radical forces of Islam that are now growing in even the most secular of Arab nations. The "Arab Spring"will inevitably prove to be a nightmare for the entire world. Instead of helping to put out this potential deadly fire, Obama is pouring more fuel on it every day.
Lee: Thanks for taking the time to post. I agree with your premise on failed policies and the inability of leaders to comprehend the world view of Muslims and dysfunctional nature of government in these countries. But I am not sure laying all the blame on the current administration is valid. You state in your post "a culmination of decades." So true, not four years. Thanks! Mac
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