Political Change in the Arab World

As we have recently witnessed, two Arab regimes have been toppled by democratic popular movements since the beginning of this year. Both the Tunisian and Egyptian peoples have managed to lead a successful revolution against the dictators which ruled their countries. Whether this will cause a domino effect similar to the one which lead to the fall of the Communism in eastern Europe is difficult to predict. However, I am confident that these revolutions will result in an awakening throughout the Arab world. Governments will hopefully reform and the populace will become more aware of their rights. It is the duty of developed countries to cut both diplomatic and financial support to Arab police states. The war on terrorism is fought less effectively by supporting dictators than by supporting the people themselves. Supporting the people means supporting democracy, and democracy allows for a lively civil society which provides young Arabs with opportunities and a future. It is the lack of hope, desperation and an intangible future that makes it so easy for radical Islamist clerics to convince young Arab men to join terrorist networks.