ABSTRACT

In the Arab states where uprisings have succeeded in changing leadership, such as Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya, the forces of authoritarianism, militarism, and tribalism persist and may negate the democratic demands of some of the demonstrators. It is too early to speak of a revolution, and the Arab Spring has turned to bitter winter in countries like Bahrain, Syria, Libya, and Yemen. All the discontent and hatred that have built up over decades come pouring out in what Arabs called days of rage. The conditions of the Palestinians under Israeli occupation will not ameliorate because of the Arab revolts. They may even get worse in the long run. Most of the major events in the Arab Middle East from December 2010 onwards have been deemed the Arab Spring, representing the optimism by both everyday Middle Easterners and outside observers.