“Al Qeada’s Arab Spring”- Guest Post by Charlie Jacobs June 19, 2012
Posted by Chris Mark in Uncategorized.Tags: al asqa, al qaeda, Arab Spring, charlie jacobs, inspire, security, terrorism, ummah
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This is a guest post by Charlie Jacobs. Charlie is completing his Master’s Dissertation and he had commented on a previous post. He has some interesting information and insight so I have invited him to publish a post. He has a brand new blog you can read here. Enjoy!
In the Fifth Edition of its English-language online magazine released in March 2011 al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula decided to discuss the Arab Spring. The main areas of discussion were the events of the Arab Spring, the Western view of ‘al-Qaeda’s Arab Spring’ and where the revolutions should head next.
The Tsumani of Change
“The friends of America and Israel are being mopped out one after the other.” Al-Qaeda’s view of the Arab Spring is viewed through the trans national prism of defeating the influence of its enemies within the Islamic world. The fall of Mubarak was historic for the region but was also “a day that exposed America’s two-faced policy on democracy.” (more…)
“A Victory?…for Democracy?”…Muslim Brotherhood Wins Egyption Presidency June 17, 2012
Posted by Chris Mark in News, terrorism.Tags: al qaeda, Arab Spring, Egypt, Election, mark consulting group, Mohammad Morsi, Salafi, terrorism
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It was just announced that the Muslim Brotherhood’s Mohammad Morsi was leading and expected to win the Egyption presidency in the first election since the removal of Hasni Mubarak from the Egyptian presidency. Egypt was one of the countries that revolted in the Arab Spring of 2012. Interestingly, Mr. Morsi is being elected in a democratic election. What is the significance? Many in the US have labored under the belief that if given the choice ALL people would choose a government similar to the US. In 2003, at the National Endowment of Democracy, President George Bush said:
“This freedom deficit … has terrible consequences for people in the Middle East and for the world. In many Middle Eastern countries, poverty is deep and it is spreading. Women lack rights and are denied schooling, whole economies remains stagnant while the world moves ahead,” Bush said. (more…)
Anarchists, Communists, Extremists, and….Pirates?; “Democracy and the Devil you Know” May 16, 2012
Posted by Chris Mark in Laws and Leglslation, Politics.Tags: Arab Spring, Chris Mark, Germany, Mubarak, Muslim Brotherhood, Pirate Party, terrorism, US Senate
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As an American I am always fascinated when speaking with my fellow countrymen (and women) who are fixated on the idea that democracy is the only and best form of government for all people. While those who believe in the democratic process certainly believe that free will, and giving a voice to people is a central theme to any form of government, there is always a tradeoff. As a recent example, the Arab Spring brought about numerous changes in governments throughout the Middle East. In Egypt, Hosni Mubarak was removed from power and Egypt began planning for “free and fair” elections. While Mubarak was the ‘elected’ president for 29 years, the elections were questionable as the constitution did not allow for anyone to run against Mubarak. Mubarak, while considered a corrupt and dictatorial leader by many, remained close with the United States who provided roughly $1.3 billion annually in aid to Egypt. With Mubarak’s removal and a more ‘transparent, and open’ election, what has resulted? In December 2011 the militant Muslim Brotherhood (who many consider a terrorist group) won a majority of the votes in the first election since Mubarak stepped down. While many of my own friends applauded when Mubarak stepped down, they are now critical of the election of the Muslim Brotherhood.
In another, more humerous example on MSNBC.com, Germany’s upstart Pirate Party (you read that right) sent a strong message to the existing regime when it won 8% of the votes in a local election in the most populated state in Germany. (more…)
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