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Arab Spring Redux: Top of the Popular Charts

Published July 8th, 2012 - 06:47 GMT

More than 18 months since the winds of change started to blow, where has the Arab Spring taken the region?  Al Bawaba brings you "Top of the Pops"- popular revolts not popular music: our Arab Spring Redux charts. See the pictures above to find out what's been shaken in the Middle East and North Africa: who's been dumped, who's been winning elections, who are the movers and the shakers, and who looks set to be the hottest act of 2013.

While geriatrics cast their ballots in North Africa, little boys are thrown into jail in the Gulf. At one tip of the Arabian peninsula, a half-charred dictator leaves and the country returns to obscurity and the beginnings of democratic rule. At the northern end of the fertile crescent an ophthalmologist with an imbecile smile lets his tanks roll over his own people. The land of the Pharaohs, after a painful transition, has proven itself to be as tenacious as its long-time dictator who, having given up power refuses to quite give up the ghost. Jordan wears the trappings of the Arab Spring but manages it all rather politely and inoffensibly. For the rest of the Arab world, Ramadan TV programming is as dramatic as it gets. 

In this Arab Spring Redux - we attempt to give a run-down of the Arab Spring, charting countries' achievements in popular uprising terms. Featured are the Arab Revolution 'pros' and pop-idols who have got it down to a protest, spring and vote! as well as the stragglers who are still bringing up the revolution from the rear. Here are the top ten...

 

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Egypt's Arab Spring Redux gives birth to a democratic victory

Egypt: Flying high, the 'Arab Spring Professionals'. With a revolutionary leader democratically elected and their dictator at death's door, the Egyptians look like they've won the Arab Spring lottery. No thanks to a last minute military coup attempt by SCAF.

The 101 year-old guy who voted in Libya's elections

Libya's revolution: things can only get better! With Gadaffi gone it looks like nothing can stop those Libyans as they head to the polls for the first real election their country has seen for forty years. It was messy and not the cleanest of finishes, but with a little help from their friends, the Libyans have done it.

Tunisia started the Arab Spring fire! Arab Spring Redux

They did start the fire! Tunisian pioneers first past the post, but are they out of steam? Those Tunisians are old hands at revolutions, having started up the Arab Spring nearly two years ago. But now it looks like they're on shaky ground with Islamist scuffles and economic gloom.

Jordanians take an Arab Spring break: Arab Spring Redux

Jordan's Arab Spring break: it was the revolution that never was as those chilled out Hashemites couldn't manage to stir enough fire to turn protest into action. There's still the regular civilised Friday demonstrations in the capital but it's more tea and sheesha than revolutionary ire. The police mostly cater to the refreshments.

Bahraini's behind bars - will they see their Arab Spring light?

Bahrain's unseen revolution, or the silent spring: as Bahrainis continue to fight for their rights, we only get trickled reports of the horrors they've suffered. An 11-year-old boy narrowly escaped prison for his part in anti-government demonstrations. It's been a bloody struggle but it's still side-lined by the media. Will they see the light?

Sudan burns with the rest of the Arab Spring, as a late-starter in 2012

Sudan didn't start the fire! It was always burning... The new kid on the block was a little slow on the uptake but those Sudanese can protest like an Egyptian. They've taken to the streets, burned tires and hurled rocks to try and oust notorious dictator, Omar Bashir.

Protests in Sohar in Oman, Arab Spring Redux

Oman's baby steps: like the support band at the rock concert, Oman is bringing up the Arab Spring from the rear. Sporadic polite run protests in the last few weeks got some hopes up but a fully fledged revolution is yet to arrive.

Saudis take a break from 'protesting' in the mall, Arab Spring Redux

Saudi revolutionaries take the back seat (certainly not the wheel, for ladies or men): We heard of flare-ups in the East of Saudi but a few false starts do not an Arab Spring make. It's hard to distinguish between the standard Shiaa/Sunni unrest and a real attempt to subvert the system.

Houla Massacre takes Syria deep into Arab Spring Redux

Syria: slower starters have made inroads and certainly got going, with their revolution still raging and many saying it will have to get a lot worse before it gets better. But how much worse than widespread massacres of women & children can it get? The Syrian crisis has now given birth to a full-scale refugee problem and sectarian strife.

Yemen's revolution is a wasteland - an Arab Spring lost

Yemen: lost in translation. Yes, those Yemenis were all fired up about change for the country, and they sure sustained it longer than most would. But all that hard work seems to have gone to waste. Reports say it's a humanitarian disaster and tribal leaders are rapidly being reinstated. Fallen off the Arab Spring wagon?

Egypt's Arab Spring Redux gives birth to a democratic victory
The 101 year-old guy who voted in Libya's elections
Tunisia started the Arab Spring fire! Arab Spring Redux
Jordanians take an Arab Spring break: Arab Spring Redux
Bahraini's behind bars - will they see their Arab Spring light?
Sudan burns with the rest of the Arab Spring, as a late-starter in 2012
Protests in Sohar in Oman, Arab Spring Redux
Saudis take a break from 'protesting' in the mall, Arab Spring Redux
Houla Massacre takes Syria deep into Arab Spring Redux
Yemen's revolution is a wasteland - an Arab Spring lost
Egypt's Arab Spring Redux gives birth to a democratic victory
Egypt: Flying high, the 'Arab Spring Professionals'. With a revolutionary leader democratically elected and their dictator at death's door, the Egyptians look like they've won the Arab Spring lottery. No thanks to a last minute military coup attempt by SCAF.
The 101 year-old guy who voted in Libya's elections
Libya's revolution: things can only get better! With Gadaffi gone it looks like nothing can stop those Libyans as they head to the polls for the first real election their country has seen for forty years. It was messy and not the cleanest of finishes, but with a little help from their friends, the Libyans have done it.
Tunisia started the Arab Spring fire! Arab Spring Redux
They did start the fire! Tunisian pioneers first past the post, but are they out of steam? Those Tunisians are old hands at revolutions, having started up the Arab Spring nearly two years ago. But now it looks like they're on shaky ground with Islamist scuffles and economic gloom.
Jordanians take an Arab Spring break: Arab Spring Redux
Jordan's Arab Spring break: it was the revolution that never was as those chilled out Hashemites couldn't manage to stir enough fire to turn protest into action. There's still the regular civilised Friday demonstrations in the capital but it's more tea and sheesha than revolutionary ire. The police mostly cater to the refreshments.
Bahraini's behind bars - will they see their Arab Spring light?
Bahrain's unseen revolution, or the silent spring: as Bahrainis continue to fight for their rights, we only get trickled reports of the horrors they've suffered. An 11-year-old boy narrowly escaped prison for his part in anti-government demonstrations. It's been a bloody struggle but it's still side-lined by the media. Will they see the light?
Sudan burns with the rest of the Arab Spring, as a late-starter in 2012
Sudan didn't start the fire! It was always burning... The new kid on the block was a little slow on the uptake but those Sudanese can protest like an Egyptian. They've taken to the streets, burned tires and hurled rocks to try and oust notorious dictator, Omar Bashir.
Protests in Sohar in Oman, Arab Spring Redux
Oman's baby steps: like the support band at the rock concert, Oman is bringing up the Arab Spring from the rear. Sporadic polite run protests in the last few weeks got some hopes up but a fully fledged revolution is yet to arrive.
Saudis take a break from 'protesting' in the mall, Arab Spring Redux
Saudi revolutionaries take the back seat (certainly not the wheel, for ladies or men): We heard of flare-ups in the East of Saudi but a few false starts do not an Arab Spring make. It's hard to distinguish between the standard Shiaa/Sunni unrest and a real attempt to subvert the system.
Houla Massacre takes Syria deep into Arab Spring Redux
Syria: slower starters have made inroads and certainly got going, with their revolution still raging and many saying it will have to get a lot worse before it gets better. But how much worse than widespread massacres of women & children can it get? The Syrian crisis has now given birth to a full-scale refugee problem and sectarian strife.
Yemen's revolution is a wasteland - an Arab Spring lost
Yemen: lost in translation. Yes, those Yemenis were all fired up about change for the country, and they sure sustained it longer than most would. But all that hard work seems to have gone to waste. Reports say it's a humanitarian disaster and tribal leaders are rapidly being reinstated. Fallen off the Arab Spring wagon?

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