Is Europe planting flowers or thorns for its Arab neighbours?

The masses who took to Arab squares five years ago were there to demand freedom, justice, democracy and human dignity. At the time, this seemed to surprise some European observers, as if they had expected Arab people to remain eternally oppressed. Then praise for the historical events occurred within Europe after the people overthrew a longstanding dictator in Tunisia and his counterpart in Egypt within the space of a few weeks.

The term “Arab Spring” was used to describe the developments occurring at the time. It was a beautiful description, even though spring does not last long – like the Prague Spring that was eliminated within a few months in 1968.

Like spring, the Arab revolutions did not last long, and the hopes of Arab liberation from tyranny came crashing down within two years. As for Europe, it immediately ignored its obligation to support democracy and freedom in the region and returned instead to supporting security and stability in the form of a new generation of tyrants and dictators.

Other than praising the Arab Spring, no serious European positions were issued against the subsequent attack on the Middle East’s fragile democratic experience. There was widespread silence in the face of these events, with the exception of a few hesitant statements. What the Arabs come to understand, particularly in 2013, is that Europe does not mind if their fledgling democracies are crushed, and neither will it seriously object to atrocities perpetrated by new regimes or impose sanctions against brutal dictators it has deemed strategic allies. With this green light, the tanks continued to make their way to the centre of numerous Arab cities, crushing carnage and ruins beneath their treads.

The flags of democracy and the participation of the masses were overthrown and those who were democratically elected by the people were thrown into prison or forced to step down. In their place, military tyrannies rose up, closely followed by the flags of Daesh and its panic-inspiring propaganda.

Once the season of democracy ended, the red carpet was rolled out in a number of European capitals to welcome the new tyrannical leaders, while others were considered partners despite statements condemning their heinous violations such as mass death sentences issued against protestors.

Some European officials have not hesitated to say that the symbols of oppression and tyranny have returned as partners of Europe to combat terrorism and extremism, restoring matters to the way they were before the Arab Spring. Given their functional roles, the oppressors need terrorism to continue in order to ensure they receive Western support and that a blind eye is turned to the calls for reforms.

What I must say in the face of the successive Arab events we are witnessing today is that putting your faith in a military tyranny will always be a losing bet. Corrupt governments that depend on spreading terror and intimidation amid the opposition, persecuting youth movements and gagging free media, are not an option in the 21st century. This style of governance is also unable to achieve growth, development, or necessary reform. Instead, it spreads more anger, frustration, extremism and mass outbursts in societies where the majority of the population is under the age of 25.

The Middle East has not reached its final phase – military oppression has, unsurprisingly, not brought about security, stability and prosperity. Instead, it has caused more turbulence and crises and pushed the countries of the region to the edge. It may even transform more into failed countries. Europe cannot isolate itself from the events occurring in the backyards of its southern neighbours. The world is growing smaller and the consequences of the current crisis do not stop within national borders. This stresses the importance of seriously revising and reconsidering European strategies and policies and engaging in objective discussions in this regard.

If Europe is keen on gaining the hearts and minds of the Muslim world during its campaign against terrorism and extremism, it cannot achieve this through hollow statements that sing the praises of democracy, but rather talk about practical policies in a different language. Spring may come and go, but it can come back; and that will require planting flowers, not thorns.

The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor.