The Middle East: From Democracy to Chaos
Host:
Subscribe to this Podcast:
Listen to/Watch entire show:
Two years after the so-called "Arab Spring," elected governments in Tunisia and Egypt are struggling to maintain stability. Are Islamic and secular factions just unable to get along? Are both countries suffering from "Revolution fatigue?" What's the potential fallout in the rest of the Middle East? Also, the Northeast braces for a monster blizzard, and this year's most unlikely nominee for a Grammy.
Banner image: Tunis on February 6, 2013, the day of the assassination of opposition leader Chokri Belaid. Photo by Sarah Mersch
Making News
Northeast Braces for Monster Blizzard ()
Mayor Thomas Menino today warned the people of Boston. "This is a storm of major proportions…Stay home… Make sure that our public safety vehicles are able to get through the streets." New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced, "Many of the same communities that were inundated by Hurricane Sandy's tidal surge just about a hundred days ago are likely to see some moderate coastal flooding this evening." Marc Santora of the New York Times is keeping track of what's expected as the Northeast prepares for what could be another weather disaster.
Guests:
- Marc Santora: New York Times, @MarcSantoraNYT
Main Topic
The Middle East: From Democracy to Chaos ()
Two years ago, Tunisia led the so-called "Arab Spring" by replacing a dictatorship with a democracy. Egypt was not far behind. But elected, Islamist governments have provoked secular opposition, and the streets of both countries are full of protesters once again. Tunisia was hailed as the model for peaceful transition, but an assassination has led to the first general strike in 35 years. In Egypt, murders during a soccer match have turned organized clubs into disruptive political rivals. We update events in both countries and learn how the social media that helped create peaceful revolutions are now threatening unity.
Guests:
- Vivienne Walt: Time Magazine, @vivwalt
- Robin Wright: US Institute of Peace, @wrightr
- Christian Caryl: Legatum Institute, @ccaryl
- Marc Lynch: George Washington University, @abuaardvark
Links:
- Walt on the threat of new violence in Tunisia
- Democracy Lab on the role of soccer violence in Egypt's revolution
- Lynch's 'The Arab Uprising: The Unfinished Revolutions of the New Middle East'
- Wright's 'Rock the Casbah: Rage and Rebellion Across the Islamic World'
- US Institute for Peace on security sector transformation in the Arab Awakening
- Foreign Policy on funeral of Tunisian opposition leader Chokri Belaid, general strike
Reporter's Notebook
The Surprising Story behind a Surprise Grammy Nomination ()
This year's Grammys include a category for Electronic Dance Music. Nominee Al Walser is a man almost nobody in the established dance culture has ever heard of. His Grammy-nominated dance recording is I Can't Live Without You. Walser, who calls himself "The Mouse that Roared," says he had to refresh the Grammy website three times before he believed the nomination. August Brown, music writer for the Los Angeles Times, hunted him down at Cut the Bull Entertainment, which shares space with the Honorary Consulate of the Principality of Liechtenstein — in Hollywood.
Guests:
- August Brown: Los Angeles Times, @AugustBrown
Engage & Discuss
Further the conversation with your thoughts and comments. Agree, disagree, present a different perspective -- engage.
For information and guidelines click: Terms of Service | Privacy Policy
Please note, comments are moderated. KCRW reserves the right to edit and or remove posts deemed off-topic, abusive or not in accordance with KCRW's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
BROUGHT TO YOU BY
