The Psyche Behind Arab Spring
Ijaz Baloch on 15, Feb 2012 | 2 Comments | in Category: Insight
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On 12 November 2009, two days before FIFA world cup 2010 Qualifier match between Algeria and Egypt, an ugly incident caused a massive diplomatic row. The bus carrying Algerian football team was attacked in Cairo where the game was to be held. The economic and diplomatic ties between the 2 countries nose-dived to their lowest ebb. Though skirmishes among football fans are normal yet it was a strange phenomenon that involved the governments from both countries. The emotions went soaring among the youth of the two countries. Planes packed with the youth from both countries were sent to watch and support the respective teams when the decider was played at a neutral venue in scheduled in Sudan. The young Arabs took to the streets even in France where Algerian team had a larger fan club including the expatriates from other “Maghreb” countries supported them because of geographical proximity.
The emotions ran high. It was a great spectacle, though in negative terms, that how the people with same religious, cultural and
linguistic ties can be so antagonists towards each other.When a young Syrian PhD student was asked to explain the whole scenario as to what are the causes of such antagonism to each other, he replied simplistically “as the young Arabs who are generation of an era
where they have been forced to live in virtual disgrace, a sense of humiliation prevails among them, a humiliation vis-à-vis tiny Israel.
Further Explaining he said “The Arab youth are desperate for something to cheer, a victory which could restore their lost pride”.
The whole aforementioned story can be better explained when one witnesses from Libya, masochistic images of Gun totting rebels to free Syrian Army recruits fighting for the democracy. For Libyans, although Gaddafi regime was brutal yet they had the chance to gain a victory against him, being backed by their urge for free world and support from World power for their just demands. Same is the case with the army men revolting against Bashar al Asad regime. Free Syrian army defectors could be witnesses being garlanded by protestors when they defect the army ranks and join the protestors, waving their guns in the air, celebrating their victory although against small enemy as compared to their so called eternal enemy Israel.
For decades, these dictators derived their legitimacy to be at the helm of their perspective countries showing their undeterred resolve
against Israel. Jamal Abdul Nasser is still revered as the hero who tried to restore Arab pride. Saddam in recent history was Arab darling to common Arab populace for his brave overtures against Israel. He invaded Iran and Kuwait out of nothing, killed thousands of Kurds only for the quest of an elusive victory. His son Uday can be seen in video taming the lions, firing in open air with AK 47.All such gestures contained a sense of demolished ego to superior power. Gaddafi, the character, ordered many military expeditions in Africa before being bowed down to west finally. He got instant fame when he confronted King Abdullah at an Arab league conference branding him the American stooge who had allowed the presence of American forces in the holy lands.
In fact many Arab states especially in the Gulf have come to the conclusion that issue of Israel is beyond their capacity to confront
it militarily and that Israel will always be there whether they like it, accept it or not. So let’s build our own countries. They always
look at USA to solve the Israel-Palestine issue in whatsoever manner to give justification to their people as this issue is fixed now.
The problem is with the common Arab folks for them the existence of Israel is still indigestible. They feel pride being Arab, custodians
of true faith and descendents of the people who once ruled the world.
Hate for Israel is so high that even Turkish Prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan became hero instantly in Arab World when he confronted Israeli president Shimon Peres in World Economic Forum in Davos over Israeli war in Gaza. What is Al Qaeda? Who was Usama bin Laden? Why they did they join Afghan War? They all were disgruntled youth who came to Afghanistan in search of their lost pride finding the then despots too powerful to confront at their respective countries. There have been several reports that influx from Arab countries to Afghanistan has diminished considerably after initiation of Arab Spring in the Arab world. Thanks to new frontiers and perspective horizons for something cheerful along other factors like relentless campaign by Pakistan Army against those involved in fight in Af-Pak border areas along with continued American Drone attacks.
Unemployment, Youth Bulge, dictatorship, perceived flawed foreign policy and quest for democracy are the main factors behind this
“Arab Spring” yet the urge for some kind of victory to be proud cannot be neglected in this regard. If someone opposes this idea then
there must be valid arguments to why Egyptians ransacked Israeli Embassy in Cairo while protesting against their own Egyptian Military council few days back and why there is vociferous call for ending the decades old peace treaty signed between Egypt and Israel.
Similarly revolt against Bashar al Asad was ruled out initially before it started in Syria, owing to his anti-Israel stance even when it was
going on in neighbouring Egypt. Although it has taken place in relatively poor countries as compared to oil rich Gulf states, but
crux of the article is that it is not so far in those regions too as democracy is the by birth right of all the human beings. Though it has
been put on hold momentarily through economic incentives and strict governmental control, yet it will arise one day as the people want victory no matter who is their enemy, at home or abroad. So it’s up the rulers to propose something out of box to offer to its youth
otherwise no one is immune to this virus called “The Arab Spring”.
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