Silver linings

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The Arab world is in a state of fermentation. At one hand there is a feeling that matters have come to a head, that the political reforms must come to pass. The time is ripe for change, radical change. Political reforms are fast gaining momentum. The vast majority of the people, however, are unhappy with the pace of reform. In Egypt, we witness for the first time in two decades workers staging sit-ins and demonstrations. And, they manage to realise their demands, too. This is a reflection of the fast changing face of Egypt. The struggle for increased press freedoms, too, is quickening its pace. Freedom of expression has emerged as a trademark of political reform in the region. Everywhere, and in spite of low turnouts at elections, in spite of charges of election-rigging and vote- buying, the march towards democratisation and political reform continues unabated.

Change is not confined to Egypt. In the Palestinian territories, too, the quest for democratisation is taking shape. The repressive Israeli occupation is forcing the Palestinians to question their aims and refine their aspirations. They, too, yearn for democracy and greater civil liberties. The brutal Israeli occupation only strengthens the Palestinian struggle for national self-determination.

Lebanon is a seething volcano about to erupt at any moment. Then, there might be rumblings but no actual eruptions. Still, the tensions are palpable. Confessional strife threatens to rip the country apart. The competing forces will play out their goals in the upcoming Lebanese presidential elections. All parties in the Lebanese political scene are aiming for democracy, but each party sees democracy from its own particular perspective.

Iraq is in a sorry state. The country labours under occupation. Foreign troops are tearing the country apart. The oil resources of Iraq are being plundered right under the nose of its long-suffering people.

Iraq has emerged as one of the worst disaster zones in the world. Hundreds of thousands disappear and are killed and maimed on a daily basis. Security is as elusive as ever. The US-led occupation has inflicted much misery and chaos in the lives of ordinary Iraqis.

Iraq, like Lebanon, is split along confessional lines. The rival political and ideological factions have their militias and the country is awash with weapons. Groups as ideologically different from each other such as Al-Qaeda and the pro-Iranian Shia militias are competing for turf in the current political turmoil. The weak government of Nuri Al-Maliki is struggling to impose some semblance of control over the country but to no avail.

There is no simple political solution in sight. A sudden American military pull-out might unleash a torrent of catastrophes with deadly foes vying to fill the power vacuum. There are many Iraqis, though, who insist that the departure of foreign occupying troops is preferable by far to the disastrous military presence of the hated foreign soldiers and mercenaries on Iraqi soil.

Darfur is a disaster. The aggrieved indigenous people of the war- torn region feel that the neglect, political and economic marginalisation of the past must come to a halt. The people of Darfur want to redress the wrongs of the past. The Sudanese authorities, too, want to resolve the Darfur crisis amicably. The international community again is keen on internationalising the Darfur disaster. The world is taking an ever increasing interest in the Darfur crisis. The issue of international peacekeepers in Darfur and in particular the funding and logistical support for the hybrid African Union-United Nations peacekeeping force in Darfur tops the agenda at regional and international forums.

Iran, too, has emerged as a key regional player. The speech of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at the United Nations General Assembly was nothing short of politically captivating. His address to the students at Columbia University, New York, was equally impressive. He was able to win many converts to the Iranian cause. It is in this context that the peoples and governments of the region are closing ranks. They are trying to work closer together for the good of all.