imported>Howard C. Berkowitz |
imported>Nick Gardner |
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| | publisher = [[Sourcewatch]]}}</ref> The term, however, best refers to popular, apparently spontaneous, actions in 2011 that have led to new governments in [[Tunisia]] and [[Egypt]], and probably in [[Yemen]]. It also includes increasingly intense protests in a number of countries, such as [[Bahrain]], [[Jordan]] and [[Syria]], and active civil war in [[Libya]]. | | | publisher = [[Sourcewatch]]}}</ref> The term, however, best refers to popular, apparently spontaneous, actions in 2011 that have led to new governments in [[Tunisia]] and [[Egypt]], and probably in [[Yemen]]. It also includes increasingly intense protests in a number of countries, such as [[Bahrain]], [[Jordan]] and [[Syria]], and active civil war in [[Libya]]. |
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| ==National movements==
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| ===Tunisia===
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| ===Egypt===
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| ===Yemen===
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| Mediating the dispute in late April, the [[Gulf Cooperation Council]] presented President [[Ali Abdullah Saleh]] with a peace plan, which gives him immunity from prosecution but required him to leave office within 30 days. Elections would be held within 60 days, leading to the term "30-60 plan." Mohammed Qahtan, speaking for the Joint Meeting Parties opposition, said “I believe the 30-60 plan is the practical way to transfer power. We have accepted giving immunity, and we have made a significant sacrifice by accepting that the president will transfer power to a deputy of his choice. The only condition that we have made is that this deputy is not a member of his family."<ref>{{citation
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| | url = http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2011/0421/Gulf-Council-presents-Yemen-s-Saleh-with-exit-plan
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| | journal = Christian Science Monitor
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| | title = Gulf Council presents Yemen's Saleh with exit plan
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| | date = 21 April 2011
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| | author = Erik Stier}}</ref>
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| ===Bahrain===
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| Problems exist between [[Sunni]] leadership and a [[Shi'a|Shi'ite]] majority. The matter is of deep concern for [[Saudi Arabia]], concerned with both its own Shi'ite minority, and concerns about [[Iran]]ian expansion. <ref>{{citation
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| | title =Popular Protests in North Africa and the Middle East (III): The Bahrain Revolt
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| | id = MENA Report No. 105
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| | date = 6 April 2011
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| | publisher = [[International Crisis Group]]
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| | url = http://www.crisisgroup.org/en/regions/middle-east-north-africa/iran-gulf/bahrain/105-popular-protests-in-north-africa-and-the-middle-east-iii-the-bahrain-revolt.aspx}}</ref>
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| ===Jordan===
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| ===Syria===
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| Syrian security forces have fired on unarmed protesters, possibly killing as many as 90 on 22 April. Nevertheless, protests continue. President [[Bashir al-Assad]], however, repealed a long-standing and unpopular Emergency Law, and crowds continue to grow.<ref>{{citation
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| | title=Syrian Security fires on Protesters, Kills 90
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| | date = 23 April 2011
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| | author = [[Juan Cole]]
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| | journal = Informed Comment
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| | url = http://www.juancole.com/2011/04/syrian-security-fires-on-protesters-kills-90.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+juancole%2Fymbn+%28Informed+Comment%29}}</ref>
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| ===Libya===
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| ===Saudi Arabia===
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| ==Arab country intervention==
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| ===Qatar===
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| ===United Arab Emirates===
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| ==Role of non-Arab Muslim countries==
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| [[Turkey]] is a key coalition member, but is concerned about excessive involvement in the affairs of Muslim countries.
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| ==Western response==
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| There has been a major intervention in Libya, under [[United Nations]] (UN) and later [[North Atlantic Treaty Organization]] (NATO) auspices. Initially, the United States led a coalition to create a [[no-fly zone]], in [[Operation ODYSSEY DAWN]]. The U.S. position was that its specialized capabilities were needed for the prerequisite [[suppression of enemy air defense]], but it is reducing participation as other nations move military forces into the NATO-led [[Operation UNIFIED PROTECTOR]].
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| [[Tariq Ali]], associated with the New Left and writing in the [[Guardian (U.K.)]], said the West is practicing "selective vigilantism" in Libya,<ref>{{citation
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| | url = http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/mar/29/libya-west-tripoli-arab-world-gaddafi
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| | title = Libya is another case of selective vigilantism by the west: Bombing Tripoli while shoring up other despots in the Arab world shows the UN-backed strikes to oust Gaddafi are purely cynical
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| | journal = Guardian (U.K.)
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| | date = 29 March 2011
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| | author = [[Tariq Ali]]
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| }}</ref> where others observe that there are unique reasons for intervention there.
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| ===National interests===
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| ===National concerns===
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| ==References== | | ==References== |
| {{reflist|2}} | | {{reflist|2}} |
