Opinion of Arab Spring?

[Upper Canada Tory]

In my view, Western liberal democrats put far too much hope and enthusiasm in the Arab Spring's ability to reform the Middle East. The people who protested against Arab League dictators at the time came from a variety of ideological movements - some were genuine liberal democrats, others were radical Islamist ideologues. The naively optimistic idea that MENA countries were going to turn into democracies nearly overnight was questionable at best and even if they were, it's even more questionable that they were going to last long-term (eg, Tunisia). The more extremist factions in MENA were suppressed by the existing dictators of the time and no one could have guaranteed they wouldn't have taken power as soon as they had the opportunity.

In general, the Middle East is somewhat overrated in terms of geopolitical importance and the instability brought by the Arab Spring certainly did not help the situation. Helping the MENA countries reform themselves into democracies is going to take time, energy and resources that the West is not willing to expend on the matter, nor is it in the West's geopolitical interest to do so. It's better to strengthen existing alliances in the Middle East while also voicing human rights concerns when they come up. Maybe democracy will reach the Middle East one day, but it has to occur from within.

[Upper Canada Tory]

Absolutely horrible movement aided and abetted by Obama (and created ISIS).

Huh?

The claim that the Arab Spring was aided and abetted by Obama is mostly a Russian propaganda narrative. In fact, the first two leaders overthrown in the Arab Spring were US allies (Ben Ali and Mubarak) who Obama was careful to avoid criticizing/opposing. The anti-government militias in Syria were backed by Turkey & did not receive any support from the US until several years into the Syrian Civil War.

The Libyan protests were inspired by the Tunisian and Egyptian protests, but it is true that NATO intervening did not make things better.

ISIS existed long before the Arab Spring - just under a different name. It was mainly present in Iraq, which was not affected by the Arab Spring.

[Upper Canada Tory]

Absolutely horrible movement aided and abetted by Obama (and created ISIS).

Huh?

The claim that the Arab Spring was aided and abetted by Obama is mostly a Russian propaganda narrative. In fact, the first two leaders overthrown in the Arab Spring were US allies (Ben Ali and Mubarak) who Obama was careful to avoid criticizing/opposing. The anti-government militias in Syria were backed by Turkey & did not receive any support from the US until several years into the Syrian Civil War.

The Libyan protests were inspired by the Tunisian and Egyptian protests, but it is true that NATO intervening did not make things better.

ISIS existed long before the Arab Spring - just under a different name. It was mainly present in Iraq, which was not affected by the Arab Spring.

All true, though I suspect that the hostility to the Arab Spring in the West has less to do with Russian propaganda and more to do with citizens of Arab countries who overthrew their dictators voting for the “wrong” people (so-called Islamists). Because if there’s one thing ISIS and Al-Qaeda are known for, it’s their support for democracy and elections.

And denying people political representation and basic rights by supporting repressive dictatorships is a great way to counter the appeal of terrorist organizations—definitely something that has never blown back on Western countries that support said dictatorships. 👍

I mean, other than in Tunisia, they either did elect Islamists or Islamist militias took over. Mohammed Morsi in Egypt wasn't a liberal democrat - he was a member of the Muslim Brotherhood. Islamists took over vast regions of Syria as well.

However, it's not the fault of Obama or the US that this happened.

[Upper Canada Tory]

Mohammed Morsi in Egypt wasn't a liberal democrat - he was a member of the Muslim Brotherhood.

And?

Hmm, ok. I certainly hope your reaction will be the same if Trump gets elected in November.