The Arab Spring was a series of anti-government protests, uprisings and armed rebellions that spread across the Middle East in early 2011. But their purpose, relative success, and outcome remain hotly disputed in Arab countries, among foreign observers, and between world powers looking to cash in on the changing map of the Middle East.
The term “Arab Spring” was popularized by the Western media in early 2011 when the successful uprising in Tunisia against former leader Zine El Abidine Ben Ali emboldened similar anti-government protests in most Arab countries.
The term was a reference to the turmoil in Eastern Europe in 1989 when seemingly impregnable Communist regimes began falling down under pressure from mass popular protests in a domino effect. In a short period of time, most countries in the former Communist bloc adopted democratic political systems with a market economy.
But the events in the Middle East went in a less straightforward direction. Egypt, Tunisia, and Yemen entered an uncertain transition period, Syria and Libya were drawn into a civil conflict, while the wealthy monarchies in the Persian Gulf remained largely unshaken by the events. The use of the term the “Arab Spring” has since been criticized for being inaccurate and simplistic.
The protest movement of 2011 was at its core an expression of deep-seated resentment at the aging Arab dictatorships (some glossed over with rigged elections), anger at the brutality of the security apparatus, unemployment, rising prices, and corruption that followed the privatization of state assets in some countries.
But unlike Communist Eastern Europe in 1989, there was no consensus on the political and economic model that existing systems should be replaced with. Protesters in monarchies like Jordan and Morocco wanted to reform the system under the current rulers, some calling for an immediate transition to constitutional monarchy, others content with gradual reform.
People in Republican regimes like Egypt and Tunisia wanted to overthrow the president, but other than free elections they had little idea on what to do next.
And, beyond calls for greater social justice, there was no magic wand for the economy. Leftist groups and unions wanted higher wages and a reversal of dodgy privatization deals, others wanted liberal reforms to make more room for the private sector. Some hardline Islamists were more concerned with enforcing strict religious norms. All political parties promised more jobs but none came close to developing a program with concrete economic policies.
Arab Spring was a failure only if one expected that decades of authoritarian regimes could be easily reversed and replaced with stable democratic systems across the region. It has also disappointed those hoping that the removal of corrupt rulers would translate into an instant improvement in living standards. Chronic instability in countries undergoing political transitions have put additional strain on struggling local economies, and deep divisions have emerged between the Islamists and secular Arabs.
But rather than a single event, it’s probably more useful to define the 2011 uprisings as a catalyst for long-term change whose final outcome is yet to be seen.
The main legacy of the Arab Spring is in smashing the myth of Arabs’ political passivity and the perceived invincibility of arrogant ruling elites. Even in countries that avoided mass unrest, the governments take the quiescence of the people at their own peril.
Learn how The Arab Spring started in Tunisia in 2011, causing a ripple effect of democratic demonstrations in countries throughout the Middle East and North Africa. Discover how the use of technology helped spur on revolution, both good and bad.
Tunisia
Mohammed Bouazizi, a Tunisian vegetable peddler sets himself ablaze (see picture left) in the town of Sidi Bouzid after his cart is confiscated by a policewoman who slapped him and spat in his face. The incident causes long-simmering frustrations over injustice, poverty and the greed of the political elite to spill over into protests, which are brutally subdued. Bouazizi dies, but in his act of self-immolation, the Arab Spring is born.
After nearly a month of protests, and with public anger mounting over the increasingly violent response of the security forces, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali flees the country he had ruled for 24 years after senior generals tell him his position is untenable. His hated wife, Leila Trabelsi, escapes too – allegedly taking much of the central bank's gold reserves with her.
ZINE EL ABIDINE BEN ALI NEXT TO HIS WIFE LEILA
(PHOTO: AFP/GETTY)
HOSNI MUBARAK (PHOTO: EPA)
Hosni Mubarak becomes the second leader forced from office after 30 years in power. Protests in the wake of Tunisia's revolt have spread through much of the Arab world, but none gain traction as quickly as in Egypt. Hundreds of protesters die at the hands of the security forces until the army steps in and urges Mubarak to go, prompting wild celebrations in Cairo's Tahrir Square
Protests that erupt in the east after the arrest of human rights lawyers quickly turn violent after the Gaddafi regime responds with massive force. Within three days, opposition supporters are in control of the second city of Benghazi and the government sees massive defections.
LIBYANS CARRY THE BODIES OF VICTIMS OF THE VIOLENCE
(PICTURE: AFP/ GETTY IMAGES)
PHOTO: REUTERS
Saudi Arabia and Gulf states send troops into Bahrain to prop up the Sunni Al Khalifa monarchy after an uprising by the kingdom's subjugated Shia majority. Dozens of protesters are killed but the West, which has vital, Iran-related security interests on the island, is subdued in its criticism and the revolt is quelled.
The UN Security Council passes a resolution imposing a no-fly zone over Libya as Gaddafi's forces close in on Benghazi and the regime appears to threaten mass reprisals. Two days later, Nato warplanes and ships begin to bombard army positions.
Government forces shoot dead five protesters in southern city of Deraa, marking the beginning of an uprising across the country against President Bashar al-Assad. By October, 3,000 people lie dead and fears of a civil war mount but Assad clings on amid divisions in the international community.
DEMONSTRATIONS IN SYRIA
(PHOTO: REUTERS)
MR SALEH WAS TAKEN TO A DEFENCE MINISTRY HOSPITAL
(PHOTO: AP)
President Ali Abdullah Saleh is wounded in a bombing on his palace in the capital Sana'a. The attack comes after widespread protests, the killing of hundreds of demonstrators and violent battles between army loyalists and defectors. Saleh is evacuated for treatment in Saudi Arabia but confounds expectations by returning to Yemen, where he repeats promises to resign that few believe.
The country's army rulers bow to mounting public pressure by putting Hosni Mubarak on trial. The former dictator is wheeled into court on a stretcher, accompanied by his two hated sons. Arabs across the Middle East watch the spectacle in wonder and pride.
EGYPT'S OUSTED PRESIDENT HOSNI MUBARAK
(PHOTO: REUTERS)
LIBYAN REBEL FIGHTERS
(PHOTO: REUTERS/ZOHRA BENSEMRA)
Libyan rebels take the capital city Tripoli with surprising ease after months of near stalemate and with international criticism of Nato's bombing campaign mounting. But the Gaddafi family flees and the dictator's birthplace of Sirte stubbornly holds out against the rebels.
