This post is due by Tuesday, April 22 @ midnight for full credit.
Email late posts to rwilliamsATchamplain.edu for partial credit.
Read the assigned chapters above, and then:
1. Provide 3 SPECIFIC observations about the Arab Spring you learned from EACH chapter of our book, using 2-3 sentences combining the book and your own IYOW analysis.
2. Finally, ask ONE specific question you have of the Arab Spring after completing our reading.
Chapter 12 and Epilogue
ReplyDeleteThe end of the story concludes, yet organization is still open ended. While countries scatter to reform, they look to the west for help, especially with economic policies. I find this to be interesting and I am lost to whether the western influence is asked of us or forced upon them from us.
The western role in reconstruction seem opportunist for us and perhaps not so beneficial for the citizens. Yet, with " counterweights" such as Russia influencing decisions by choosing not to be overwhelming so, the west is in a very interesting predicament. One that I hope ends peacefully and helpful.
In the epilogue I am forced to consider what progress is being made? that is my question and reflection for the last few pages. I am left in a hopeful sense that as leaders stepped down, good leaders stepped up. My wish is that unity and freedom prevail for the good people of these countries.
Chapter 12:
ReplyDeleteThis chapter focuses on outside support and the roles outsiders had in the Middle East. It seems as though anything that the United States has done for the Middle East has been most beneficial for the United States rather than the Middle East. Arab Spring countries are looking for Western support as they come out of revolutions.
Epilogue: The Arab Spring is an on going situation and it seems as though there is no near end to it. Will corrupt leaders realize that their time is up and step down or are they going to continue to fight. The only hope for the Middle East is for corruption to come to an end.
Question:
Will the United States play a role in the future Arab Spring?
The last chapter and epilogue of The Battle focus on how Arab Spring countries have begun structuring their reconstruction, and weighs in on the issue of western aid. Various factors influencing how rebels-turned-interim-governments may be able to receive funds, including political tensions in the west, are outlined. I found the quote from Egypt's former labor minister saying, "we need a Marshall Plan", incredibly disheartening considering how much the ability has decreased of western countries as well as eastern European countries to finance the Middle East.
ReplyDeleteThe Battle presents the United States' support as mostly being for personal gain, which leaves Arab Spring countries in a sad sort of place. My question: is there any way the Arab world can get out of this mess on their own terms?
Chapter 12
ReplyDeleteChapter 12 talks about outsider influence in the middle east. After the revolution they are looking to the middle east for help in rebuilding their countries. They need help making policies and forming governments. Although anything the U.S has done has been for itself and not the middle east. Pretty classic story of America staying true the guidelines that we built its platform on, greed.
Epilogue.
I feel as if my research for my final has hindered my view on the epilogue. According to the epilogue the Arab Spring has a long road ahead of it until it sees a day of success. I agree, I think they have to rebuild good strong governments and then build their businesses up. I am worried that the people are to use to being oppressed and will allow another regime or over powered government to form, although I hope this is not the case.
I wonder what role the U.S will play in the future of the middle east, I feel that it will play a very large one.
Chapter 12:
ReplyDelete1. “No other country, none of the BRICs, no European state, and not even any Arab country, was perceived to have the influence that Washington could bring to bear in the region” (286). This statement wasn’t entirely surprising to me, but it just displayed the huge irony in the Arab world. Why did the US have more power in the Middle East than the countries itself?
2. “The Arab Spring once again illustrated to many the stark contradictions between what the Western world preached and what it practised” (291). This discussion made me take a step back and see the US in a different light. We punish torture and human rights offenses, but many accuse Guantanamo Bay of performing these same offenses.
3. This paragraph made me think of Sid’s presentation when he was talking about the role of the US: “The chances of long-term stability will be improved if no foreign country seeks to export a specific economic or political blueprint in the same way that Washington had done in the past… This increases the likelihood of new structures being derived more from bottom-up popular agreement than from a top-down authoritarian regime or an ill-suited external concept” (297).
Afterword:
1. “No country in the region could claim a total overhaul of the status quo by the end of the year and in many, the Arab Spring had barely elicited a single piece of reform from unelected governments” (302). I think many people think the Arab Spring is over, but really it has only just begun.
2. “Authoritarian leaders and their systems of rule were unable to adapt to the social, economic and technological changes that were going on around them and the longer the decade wore on, the harder they had to work to keep burgeoning protest movements and labour unrest at bay” (303). I think this speaks to the age divide between most rulers and their populations.
3. “Powerful international forces will try to shape change to their own ends, especially because far more than just the future of individual countries is at stake” (305). This made me think of our discussion about the US and their multiple interests in the area. Oil, Israel, and their influence in Iran has crafted the US response to Syria.
Question:
My final question of the semester that has linger through the semester is this: would the Middle East be better off without outside influence?
Chapter 12
ReplyDeleteThis chapter was full of all the financial thoughts coming from the Middle East and western influence. One thing I learned what that since 1995 Yemen has had ties with the IMF this was way before the Arab Uprisings officially began. Another idea was that free-markets are associated with old regimes. Keeping economics associated with rule makes it hard to progress. I also like that the book touched on the fact that technologies that helped give Middle Eastern people their voice came from America.
Afterword
The beginning of the after took me aback the uprisings gave so much freedom of speech that leaders had to be taken away to protect them. I’ve also always believed that the Arab spring brought upon a sense of togetherness as Islam and in the book it is touched that the Arab Spring was not about religion This is something I’ve had trouble with understanding in a country where religion is the culture how can they not be associated with the revolution. Finally, it sadness me to think that this is not the end, more could still happen but a sense of power which wasn’t there before has risen.
Question: Are we at the end or is this just starting?