Arab revolutions

So after Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen Bahrain and Libya, where next for that dangerous revolutionary, democracy? And to what effect?

Tunisia was a surprise, none more surprised than the President, who found himself out of office.

Egypt was a slow burner, in the balance for a long time, possibly even still, for no-one can be certain  that the army will indeed hand over the reigns of power by the end of September. On the one hand, the people have shown what they will undergo in order that they obtain some control over their own lives and to gain a fairer share of the wealth, however meagre it may be, of their country. On the other hand, the army may just have become too used to wielding power by the time it comes to hand it over, and if the USA, that supposed champion of democracy is supporting them with over a billion dollars worth of kit a year, the USA is also glad to have a 'dependable' and for that read 'indebted and free from theocratic control' ally in the region.

Bahrain has a minority sect King shooting the majority who seek greater democratic freedoms. Forgive me, but where are all those Western politicians who so loudly shouted for Nelson Mandela? Ah, yes, driving in their luxury limousines, petrol from the Gulf States put on Government expense chits and paid for by Western taxpayers. 

There may be hope for Yemen's revolters. Western condemnation of their rulers and support to the protesters may mean less support given to communists and anti-West terrorist groups. There is no oil there and so what has Obama to lose? At worst, some arabs kill some other arabs. No USA presidency will flounder upon that. I am surprised that he has not sent massive support already.

Libya's President Gaddafi has already been bombed by the USA operating from UK air bases, and while the UK is happy to help the President, his tim does seem to be coming to an end. So what is to happen? The west just lets him have access to the massive funds that he has managed to steal from his country and stash away in other countries.  Not something being permitted those from the deposed governments of Tunisia or Egypt.

But where next? Not Iran. It is one thing to depose a temporal leader, but a theocratic tyranny will require too much chutzpah, if one dare use such a word when describing the situation in Iran!

Certainly not Saudi Arabia itself, there are far too many important people in the USA with oil interests in that country to allow any significant change in that country to happen too quickly.

Syria is too closely tied in with the military for civilians to complain; there would be no bird-shot or rubber bullets used in Syria if the civilians rebelled. 

So look to Jordan.