Lin Noueihed  and Alex Warren . The Battle for the Arab Spring: Revolution, Counter-Revolution and the Making of a New Era. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2013. ix + 350 pages, notes, bibliography, index. Paper US$25.00 ISBN 978-0-300-18086-2.

The Arab Spring initiated a new era in the history of the Middle East and significantly shifted regional dynamics. It profoundly marked the history of the region and affected relations between Middle Eastern countries. Qatar–Saudi Arabia relations have likewise been profoundly impacted by it. This study focuses on how the Arab Spring affected relations between Qatar and Saudi Arabia, and on how the regional power struggle and rivalry between Riyadh and Doha were exacerbated during that period when disagreements and clashes escalated and deepened between both countries. It also emphasizes the causes of tensions that emerged during the period of the Arab Spring between both states. Using classical realism as a theoretical framework in approaching the issues at hand, the study begins by outlining the historical background to Qatar–Saudi Arabia relations. It then describes the policies of Qatar and Saudi Arabia towards the Arab Spring and explores the problem areas in their bilateral relations. Finally, the sanctions imposed against Qatar are also discussed.

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The Arab Spring: A New Era of Humor Consumption and Production

International Journal of English Linguistics ◽

10.5539/ijel.v6n3p70 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

pp. 70 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Wafa Abu Hatab

Keyword(s):

Arab Spring ◽

Freedom Of Expression ◽

Arab World ◽

Social Discourse ◽

Political Satire ◽

Street Vendor ◽

Political Humor ◽

New Era ◽

Digital Discourse ◽

The Arab Spring

<p>The 26-year-old Tunisian street vendor, Mohammad Bouazizi set himself ablaze, sparking demonstrations and revolutions in more than one country in the Arab world. Protestors utilized all possible forms of expression to give an outlet for the long suppressed feelings, attitudes and thoughts. A new social discourse emerged where freedom of expression was imposed. Tunisia led the move and was followed by Egypt, Libya, Yemen and Syria. Though these revolting countries have many things in common, each has its own touch to the mosaic portrait of the new social discourse. Political satire has its place in this discourse where political humor has witnessed a tremendous boom. The present study was based on data obtained from cartoons, slogans, digital discourse and jokes. It investigated the use of humor by protesters in the Arab Spring countries, the linguistic devices employed and the role of intertextuality. The study revealed that humor was used in the Arab Spring countries to denigrate the presidents. Sources for intertextuality included proverbs, songs, poetry and commercials. Humor made use of some linguistic devices such as puns, synonyms, antonyms, lexical ambiguity and rhyme.</p>

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Local and Global Jihadist Narratives in Afghanistan

10.1093/acprof:oso/9780190650292.003.0009 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Martha Turnbull

Keyword(s):

Arab Spring ◽

Peace Process ◽

Al Qaeda ◽

Islamic State ◽

New Era ◽

The Public ◽

Counter Narrative ◽

The Arab Spring ◽

The Relationship

This chapter explores the relationship between local and global jihadist narratives in Afghanistan by examining the public messages of the Afghan Taliban and Al-Qaeda since 2011. It argues that the two groups have formed a closer partnership following the emergence of the Islamic State and its affiliate group the Islamic State Khorasan Province. Unlike the events of the Arab Spring, which had little impact in Afghanistan, the rise of the Islamic State and its offshoot in the region forced the Taliban and Al-Qaeda to create a robust counter-narrative which has brought the two groups closer together. This development marks a new era in the relationship between the Taliban and Al-Qaeda and has significant negative implications for the peace process in Afghanistan.

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Democracy and Disillusionment: Copts and the Arab Spring

Sociology of Islam ◽

10.1163/22131418-00204008 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2 (3-4) ◽

pp. 236-251 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Paul Rowe

Keyword(s):

Arab Spring ◽

Armed Forces ◽

Transition To Democracy ◽

New Era ◽

Interest Representation ◽

Supreme Council ◽

The Status ◽

The Arab Spring ◽

Islamist Movement

This essay considers the role that Copts played in the Arab Spring revolution in Egypt and the way in which the political changes of the time affected Coptic interest representation in the Egyptian state. Copts, the indigenous Christians of Egypt, were eager participants in the protests that brought down former president Hosni Mubarak. However, their enthusiasm for a new era was dampened by the inability of lay Coptic movements to challenge the status quo in a way favorable to Coptic interests. Dissent against the management of security under the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (scaf) led Copts toward cautious optimism when Muhammad Morsi was elected president in 2012. However, the transition to democracy in Egypt as laid out by the Islamist government ultimately squandered the goodwill of Egyptian Christians and contributed to their disillusionment with the democratic idea. The result has been the further polarization of Egyptian society in ways which have deepened cleavages between Christians and the Islamist movement and rendered more ambiguous the role of the church and lay movements in representing Coptic interests.

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