**See update at bottom**
The title, a phrase first coined during the late 1700s during the French Revolution. This phrase seems to outline what may be happening in the much of the Muslim world. I had written a piece on the Tunisian Revolution (officially called the Jasmin Revolution). Although I didn't expound much of it, I highlighted how some experts don't think it will translate to change in other countries; the most likely places being Algeria and Egypt.
The title, a phrase first coined during the late 1700s during the French Revolution. This phrase seems to outline what may be happening in the much of the Muslim world. I had written a piece on the Tunisian Revolution (officially called the Jasmin Revolution). Although I didn't expound much of it, I highlighted how some experts don't think it will translate to change in other countries; the most likely places being Algeria and Egypt.
With the President's State of the Union, much of the U.S. hasn't really concentrated with what has been going on (even myself). I'll help inform you. I won't recap what is happening in Tunisa, to read about it, see my Tunisia post here. To keep up with the story, here's a complete and constantly updated coverage of what is going on. Since then, an international arrest warrant has been placed for former dictator and ousted President Ben Ali while his loyalists are about to be removed from the government's cabinet. Meanwhile, the official ban on different political parties was removed and all political prisoners given amnesty and the police workforce has joined in the national protests. Here is a picture gallery of the Tunisian uprising as well as a time line for you to catch up!
Tunisia's story is truly inspirational because it is the epitome of what we take for granted as the "power of the people." No foreign influence, no party line opposition, simply, beautifully frustrated people living under horrible conditions. If anything, political parties and foreign influence were barriers to the Tunisian Revolution, barriers that were broken. Tunisians are fighting for freedom and opportunity, things we all take for granted, plus I can never get enough of REVOLUTIONS! The success of these protests for complete government change is the reason why anything has changed and will change in the country. It has also sent a signal to their Arab brothers and sisters as well as Muslims that change is possible by the people. Arab countries are notorious for being oppressive, dictatorial, and U.S. backed (sorry! it's just fact!) because dictators are easier to work with than anti-American democratic governments.
Now, as a result protesters have taken to the streets in Egypt to protest their living conditions in similar "bread protests" that started the Tunisian Revolution, there have even been several self immolation inspired by the one that inspired the uprising in Tunisia. I don't want to be a pessimist because the Tunisians accomplished it, however, a few more things need to happen before the protests in Egypt will accomplish much. My heart and prayers go with them and I hope they are successful in their goals, however, the events in Tunisia has taught the Dictator Mubarak (whose military is funded with U.S. dollars) that early crackdown is necessary in order for him to survive; and that is what has been happening. As tensions rise, protesters have burnt an Egypt police post; there were also several clashes in the capital, Cairo. In the meantime, the whereabouts of the President are unknown and although I don't indulge in rumors, word is spreading that his son has left the country and his wife to London. I'll wait for some facts on that.
Joining the movement is the Egyptian Nobel winner Mohamed ElBaradei who will bring considerable attention to the struggle. He has also offered to serve in Mubarak's place if the government is ousted (let's hope so!). Amidst all this, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has publicly stated that the Egyptian government is "stable" bringing much outrage in the country. In the last post, there are several very informative videos you will find if you scroll down to the article. I think we are still a bit far from a "revolution;" this isn't the first time President Mubarak has had to deal with protests, he's had almost 30 years cracking down on people. What gives me hope is the conditions that these newest protests arrive from: inspired by lack of economic opportunity, however, seemingly based on freedoms. Many other protests in the past were "bread protests" in their purity, and when things improved, or there was overwhelming government crackdown, the protests died away, and political prisoners were taken.
To keep the protests in perspective, watch this interview with a spokesperson of the Egyptian government. His view is clearly biased and a bit off point and inaccurate, but it is still worth watching.To stay up to date on what is happening in Egypt, here's full coverage in the region.
However, Egypt is not the only place with protests. There were large anti government protests in Yemen where the President has served for 32 years, and is working on changing the law to extend his rule for at least another decade. These protests were most opposition party led, however, were inspired by events in Tunisia. The President has already taken action by cutting income tax, increasing soldier pay, initiating price controls, and denying rumors he plans on appointing his son as president after him. There hasn't been police protester violence (that I know of) but what he is doing is essentially like Hosni Mubarak: acting swiftly to weaken opposition. Mubarak has chosen the police enforcement method, while this president is chosen to try making minor changes (while avoiding the major and necessary changes of government) to appease the people.
However, Egypt is not the only place with protests. There were large anti government protests in Yemen where the President has served for 32 years, and is working on changing the law to extend his rule for at least another decade. These protests were most opposition party led, however, were inspired by events in Tunisia. The President has already taken action by cutting income tax, increasing soldier pay, initiating price controls, and denying rumors he plans on appointing his son as president after him. There hasn't been police protester violence (that I know of) but what he is doing is essentially like Hosni Mubarak: acting swiftly to weaken opposition. Mubarak has chosen the police enforcement method, while this president is chosen to try making minor changes (while avoiding the major and necessary changes of government) to appease the people.
Amidst all this noise, there are other protests that aren't getting as much attention such as those in Algeria; a country with very similar conditions to Egypt and especially Tunisia. They are protesting (although in slightly lesser numbers) for the same things as those in Tunisia and Egypt. Their protests have garnered much government police force and has really restricted them. The clashes have left 300-400 estimated as injured from the police force!!There are several reoccurring factors that tie all these protests together: All are based on limited economic opportunity, overly oppressive government, limited to no political participation. All have strong backing by the youth of their country who have never known a democratic or free society. All have used social networking (Facebook and twitter) in and out of their respective countries to organize and control their messages.
There is a reason why I still will refuse to call these protests anything close to a revolution. Yes, the people have learned from and been inspired by what is happening with Tunisia. Yes, they are living under similar circumstances and using similar tools and tactics, but the people are not the only ones to have learned the lesson of Tunisia; the governments also have.
The governments have learned several things: To stop a revolution you have two choices or a blend of the two. First, you can suppress any and all protests before they gain too much attention or control. This is what Egypt is doing and what Iran has successfully done with its election protests. The second option would be to address key issues of the protesters while maintaining control. This tactic is taken by the Yemeni government and is showing signs of working. By addressing key concerns of the people such as price controls, food supplies, working conditions and more, the government has helped weaken (not sure to what extent) the protests because less people see problems in their lives. Both options leave the fundamental question of the legitimacy of their governments and the anti-democratic forms they take unaddressed, and these protests will rise up again in the future, but unless their power and goals don't hinge as much on economic reform as political change, all I can call them are the birth of revolutions, and all revolutions can be quickly killed when first born.
***** Update!***** I've written this piece of several days and things are happening so fast that it can quickly be outdated. The massive protests in Egypt today (Friday Jan 28, 2011) have effectively become what I consider a much stronger movement because they have met my criteria. Although still demanding economic change, there is a stronger call for government change. The fact is, to gain economic changes, you need to change the government that makes it worse. With the violence come chants of "Freedom".Also the headquarters of Hosni Mubarak's party was burned to the ground today by protesters. These protests have officially been named the "Lotus Revolution" and has had worldwide protests to show support. TO watch a live feed of protests in Egypt into even the night, click here. The broadcast is in Arabic so you won't be able to understand much, but it's about the pictures. You can also find live coverage going all through the night of the Egyptian protests in English here. I'm watching it live now, and there are still people out into the late night protesting. President Mubarak has also announced that he has asked his government to resign and he will appoint a new one in the coming days (by Saturday or Sunday). He has not mentioned if he will resign, but the fact that he will "appoint" a government is not a good sign.
As I said before, Egypt has the official label (at least to me) as a revolution, I don't think that is the case in Yemen or Algeria yet because similar circumstances have not happened. Let's hope they DO become revolutions. As this writer says,
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