Introduction

Introduction

The turmoil that started in Tunisia in January and spread to Egypt, toppling decades-old autocrats in both places, now appears likely to oust the repressive regime of Muammar Qadhafi, who has ruled Libya since 1969. But a number of other regimes in the Middle East also appear under threat: Algeria, Sudan, Iraq, Jordan, Iran, Bahrain and Yemen have all experienced varying degrees of mass demonstrations in the past few weeks, with serious clashes between protesters and security forces in Bahrain and Yemen. Even in countries like Morocco, Saudi Arabia and Syria, generally regarded as more docile, restive populations have issued rare public demands.

With the exception of Iran, all of these countries are Arab states, though each with unique economic and political characteristics, some aligned with the United States and the “West,” others (Iran and Syria, particularly) its dedicated foes.

Commentators have attempted to simplify the “causes” of these uprisings into popular revolts against autocratic elites. But the variety of countries involved and the myriad issues confronting them requires careful examination; what may be true in Bahrain can be precisely the opposite in Morocco, nearly 3,500 miles away.