Arab Spring of 2011 Libya Tunisia Egypt Syria

Snapshot of Tunisia II.The 2011 Uprisings Begin: Tunisia

Who held power? Authoritarian leader who assumed power in1987 Promised greater democracy but changes were not forthcoming Censored press and banned Islamist parties Supported US anti-terror efforts Authoritarian leader who assumed power in1987 Promised greater democracy but changes were not forthcoming Censored press and banned Islamist parties Supported US anti-terror efforts Wikimedia Commons

What event sparked the uprising? Mohamed Bouazizi wants to improve his lot in life The scales from his vegetable cart are confiscated on 17 Dec In protest, he self-immolates in front of government building Mohamed Bouazizi wants to improve his lot in life The scales from his vegetable cart are confiscated on 17 Dec In protest, he self-immolates in front of government building Time Magazine

Tunisia: The match in a tinderbox 17 December 2010 – Bouazizi’s act of defiance inspires pro-democracy demonstrations The Arab Spring is born 17 December 2010 – Bouazizi’s act of defiance inspires pro-democracy demonstrations The Arab Spring is born

What did the protesters want? Upset with: Unemployment Poverty Political repression Corruption

The middle: How did those in power respond? Old techniques fail Violent repression Propaganda Concessions Bribery Old techniques fail Violent repression Propaganda Concessions Bribery

Protests remain non-violent; The first dictator falls 14 Jan Pres. Ben Ali and his wife flee End of 24 years in power New York Times

The aftermath: coalitions and new constitution Former ruling party disbanded Elections held 23 Oct and 2014 Moderate Islamic working in coalition Al Jazeera

Inspiration Spreads: Egypt

Who held power? Authoritarian leader assumed power 1981 Promised democracy but retained 1967 “Emergency Law” Censored press, banned Islamist parties including Muslim Brotherhood Police were brutal Supported US anti-terror efforts and peace with Israel Authoritarian leader assumed power 1981 Promised democracy but retained 1967 “Emergency Law” Censored press, banned Islamist parties including Muslim Brotherhood Police were brutal Supported US anti-terror efforts and peace with Israel Wikimedia Commons

2011 Egyptian Revolution Beginning: 25 Jan “Day of Revolt” Tens of thousands of marchers occupy Tahrir Square, Cairo Beginning: 25 Jan “Day of Revolt” Tens of thousands of marchers occupy Tahrir Square, Cairo

Tahrir Square What did the protesters want? End of Mubarak’s regime Political Freedom Improved Economic Opportunities End to police brutality Islamists have agenda Progressives have agenda Etc.

Hosni Mubarak resigns 11 Feb years as President end after 18 days of protest 2 June 2012 Sentenced to prison for life but sentence overturned 29+ years as President end after 18 days of protest 2 June 2012 Sentenced to prison for life but sentence overturned

The End? Peaceful Celebration 11 February 2011

The aftermath: a short experiment with democracy Elections Jan Islamist parties (Freedom and Justice Party) win 70% of seats Mohamad Morsi serves as president for 1 year Mubarak is jailed Al Jazeera

The aftermath: Military retakes power General Abdul Fatah Al-Sisi ousts Morsi 16 July 2013 Wikimedia

Women leaders in the Arab Spring 2011 Nobel Peace Prize winner Tawakkol Karmen Yemeni journalist- turned-organizer faces down death threats 2011 Nobel Peace Prize winner Tawakkol Karmen Yemeni journalist- turned-organizer faces down death threats Nobel Peace.org

Things get ugly: Libya Jan Feb Feb. 2011

Quirky Colonel Muammar Gaddafi theguardian.com Who held power?

theatlantic.com The Violent Alternative: Gaddafi refuses to step down Turns military against own people Civil War ensues February – August, 2011

NATO Intervention March 2011 theatlantic.com UN Resolution 1973 calls for “No-Fly Zone” (China & Russia abstain) Authorizes use of all means to protect civilians, short of land forces UN Resolution 1973 calls for “No-Fly Zone” (China & Russia abstain) Authorizes use of all means to protect civilians, short of land forces

20 October 2011: Gruesome end without trial

The End in Libya: August - October 2011 Tripoli falls (Aug.), UN recognizes rebel govt. (Sept) telegraph

2012 Benghazi Attack September 11, 2012 Diplomatic mission in Benghazi attacked by militias Ambassador Christopher Stevens & 3 others killed September 11, 2012 Diplomatic mission in Benghazi attacked by militias Ambassador Christopher Stevens & 3 others killed Wikimedia Commons

The Unrest Continues to Spread: Yemen, Bahrain, Syria Jan Jan. - Feb Feb. – Oct. 2011

Syria -- Civil Strife & International Paralysis Nobel Peace.org Syria

Civil War inSyria Population: 22.5 Million Religion: 74% Sunni Muslim, 16% Alawite & Druze, 10% Christian Median Age: 23 Literacy: Male – 86% Female – 74% Economy: Agriculture, industry, services, some oil Borders on multiple volatile nations Population: 22.5 Million Religion: 74% Sunni Muslim, 16% Alawite & Druze, 10% Christian Median Age: 23 Literacy: Male – 86% Female – 74% Economy: Agriculture, industry, services, some oil Borders on multiple volatile nations

Who holds power? Wikimedia Commons

Syria Uprising -- 5 March Present New York Times

In the midst of instability Nobel Peace.org Syria Iraq Iran Israel Lebanon $$$$ Hezbollah Russia United States $$$$ Palestinians/ Hamas Palestinians/ Hamas Palestinians/ Fatah Palestinians/ Fatah Egypt

Syrian Refugee Crisis

“There is no god but Allah [God]. Mohammad is the messenger of Allah.” ISIS/ISIL/Islamic State/Daesh ISIS = The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria ISIL = The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant The Islamic State Daish ISIS = The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria ISIL = The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant The Islamic State Daish

ISIS – How do they differ from al- Qaeda & what do they intend? Origins in al-Qaeda Establishment of a Caliphate is a goal Islamic fundamentalis, Wahhabi doctrine Sunni Origins in al-Qaeda Establishment of a Caliphate is a goal Islamic fundamentalis, Wahhabi doctrine Sunni Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi

US Foreign Policy in the Mid-east