Download presentation
Presentation is loading. Please wait.
Published byIsabel Warren Modified over 9 years ago
1
The Arab Spring IAFS 1000
2
Outline Tunisian Trigger Misconception re Status Quo Ante Spread of Arab Spring Role of Social Media Implications for Syria Conclusions
3
Origins 17 Dec 2010: Mohammed Bouazizi, Tunisian fruit-seller, self-immolated to protest abuse Protests spread throughout Tunisia 14 Jan 2011: President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali forced into exile
4
Tunisian Themes Focus on economic issues Mass uprisings spontaneous Young people central to protests Uprising successful in driving Ben Ali from office
5
Misconceptions about Pre-Rising Status Quo Autocrats’ tight control of military > varied widely from state to state Autocrats’ ability to use oil money to buy off disgruntled citizens > yes, except in Libya Weakness of Pan-Arabism > leaderless revolts won broad Arab following
6
Repercussions (as of July 2012)
7
Spread of Unrest Egypt (Jan-Feb 2011): Mubarak handed power to military – Muhammad Morsi (Muslim Bros) to power Yemen (Feb 2011-ongoing): Saleh handed power over to crony VP al-Hadi Bahrain (Feb 2011-ongoing): protests put down by Saudi forces
8
Spread of Unrest Libya (Feb-Oct 2011): Gaddafi killed – Jul 2012: parliamentary elections Syria (Mar 2011-ongoing): military response from government – Jul 2011: emergence of Free Syrian Army (FSA) ~ Nov 2011: civil war
9
Role of Social Media Calls to protest on Facebook Social media a primary news source Egyptian efforts to limit internet backfired Wael Ghonim (Google): “We Are All Khalid Said”
10
Social Media Young Egyptians post videos of events in Tahrir Square, 7 Feb 2011) http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2011/12/25/sunday-review/25YIP_ARABSPRING-4.html
11
Social Media http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2011-07/how-pentagon-program-and- hacker-assisted-revolution
12
Social Media Images: Mandy Terc, “The Arab Spring and Social Media Research” 10 Mar 2012 PPT
13
http://npgportraits.si.edu/ Appropriating Well Known Images Images: Mandy Terc, “The Arab Spring and Social Media Research” 10 Mar 2012 PPT
14
Social Media “We are all Khalid Said”
15
Social Media Images: Mandy Terc, “The Arab Spring and Social Media Research” 10 Mar 2012 PPT
16
Social Media http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/translated-egyptian-protest-signs
17
Antigovernment protesters in Bahrain’s Pearl Square Feb. 20. Social Media http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2011/12/25/sunday-review/25YIP_ARABSPRING-8.html
18
“Occupy Yemen”
19
“Occupy Bahrain”
20
Social Media Challenges Anonymity – “Gay Girl in Damascus” hoax Social media dominated by US private companies – Result of clash of business or national interests?
21
Arab Spring’s Impact on Syria Military conflict Entire country disintegrating Assad’s Alawite regime supported by China, Russia, and especially Iran > hope to preserve “Shiite Crescent”? new-middle-east.blogspot.com/2012/03/making-sense-of-arab-spring-7-syria-and.html
22
Arab Spring’s Impact on Syria Assad opposed by US, Saudi Arabia Possible proxy war? Syria at heart of multiple conflicts: – Arab-Israel – Saudi-Iran – US-Russia – Hezbolah-Israel
23
Conclusions Complicated events, varying results Arab Spring not over yet, esp. in Syria US relations with new Islamist governments? Haytham Bahoora: watch for ongoing conflicts to be coopted by a range of interests for their own purposes
Similar presentations
© 2025 SlidePlayer.com. Inc.
All rights reserved.