Is the Arab Spring dead? Certainly not according to Dr Anas Al Tikriti, the British-Arab founder of Cordoba Foundation, who was one of the panellists on 20 March 2014 at the Skeel Lecture Theatre (Queen Mary University of London). Dr Anas came to prominence in the UK when he participated in mobilisation for the historic “Don’t Attack Iraq” march in London on 3 March .
In a forceful presentation he argued that the Arab Spring was a process not an isolated event. As such it is bound to have ups and downs; but its line of movement is now irreversible. The people can’t be subdued by force. They no longer fear their rulers and know that change is possible. The struggle for democracy deserves Western democratic support and Solidarity. He mocked the myth that people in the Arab countries deserve and need only authoritarian rule. Poverty has nothing to do with the new awareness. Mohamed BouAzizi in Tunisia set himself on fire because of the indignity and humiliation he faced. His flames cannot be put out now notwithstanding setbacks in some countries.
Another panellist Dr Oliver McTernan, Director of the think tank “Forward Thinking” noted in his presentation that the West was in the past criticised for placing stability before democracy and economic interests before values. That led to ambiguity and ambivalence when the Arab Spring burst on the scene. Until today, he lamented, there is no clear policy in place to support democratic transformation. He praised the Tunisian constitution because it represented a compromise document that united a range of political forces including Islamists and Leftists. During the discussions Dr Mc Trenan surprised many when he claimed that the West as a distinct unit no longer existed. There are now ranges of interlinked worldwide webs of interests at work. His analysis seemed to minimise the influence of the combined US and EU power.
During the lively discussion a view was expressed that the West was for many years on the wrong side of history, allied with authoritarian and backward regimes not because it pursued its interests. There is no contradiction between its economic interests and those of the Arab countries .The contradiction appears when the West prioritises the expansionist and unfair policies of its strategic ally in the region. The Sudan which upholds the principles of independent decision making and solidarity with the Palestinians is being isolated and demonised; because this is what the PM of the West’s strategic partner has called for openly.
A third panellist Dr Maha Azzam spoke at length about developments in Egypt and future challenges.
The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor.