In the months following the start of the Arab Revolutions, articles and analysis poured into openDemocracy from contributors across the Middle East and Europe: see the five key themes in our right hand column. Gradually, the impact of Tahrir Square began to extend well beyond the Middle East as democratic inspiration travelled from east to west. On this page, we wish to capture that inspiration and use it to help us read a rapidly changing world.

Looking to the future of the Arab Spring, we have chosen three new avenues for exploration: on the Tahrir Square 'meme'; on Social innovation in the region; and You tell us.

Syria: the imperative of de-escalation

Julien Barnes-Dacey and Daniel Levy 25 May 2013

In this excerpt from the latest ECFR policy briefing on Syria, the authors argue that a rare moment of opportunity has emerged following the US-Russian agreement to launch peace initiative, Geneva II. Europe and the west should prioritise ratcheting down violence and the threat of regional spill over. 

Notes on a hunger strike

Saadi Nikro 23 May 2013

You might say Habeas Corpus literally means - you have a right to keep your body. 

Half-capacity Jordan: whose stories do we need?

Munir Atalla 23 May 2013

The way Jordanians imagine their national collective identity must evolve from tolerance to acceptance and from diversity to true inclusion.

Untangling Egypt's web of political and economic challenges

Marc van Oudheusden and Scott Hickie 23 May 2013

Minimising IMF financial support through access to Gulf State finance allows Morsi to craft new political narratives that reject views of Egypt as a US client state and redefines Egypt within a framework of Arab nationalism and centre-right political Islam.  

For the Syrian people, May, 2013

Salam Kawakibi and others (see below) 23 May 2013

This deadlock blocks every attempt to implement the “responsibility to protect” peoples, a responsibility that “devolves on the international community in the framework of the UN” and that was put into force in Libya and the Ivory Coast.

Syrian: is blood always thicker than water?

Rita from Syria 23 May 2013

A year of living through a war which has transitioned to an unprecedented level of killing and massacres in this country has seen to a fracturing and fractioning of Syrian identity.

The boundaries of Israeli unity

Omer Harari 23 May 2013

Two years ago, the rallying cry was "The people demand social justice", which was more open ended, proving its tenuousness in the question of Palestinian solidarity.

 

The global and local re-packaging and marketing of a “moderate” Islamist leader

Mohamed-Salah Omri 17 May 2013

In Tunisia, the resigning former Prime Minister and Ennahda leader, Hamadi Jebali, is being groomed for a presidential role by his party as well as international players, in a bid to market an “acceptable” Islamism.  

Lebanon tempts fate

Sarah El-Richani 15 May 2013

While a protracted civil conflict in Lebanon is unlikely, a clash between Hezbollah and Israel is only too feasible.

 

Tunisian university dean acquitted

Sana Ajmi 15 May 2013

Each university has a right to set their own guidelines for the wearing of the niqab and religious activity in general on campus. But the issue has become too divisive.

Islamists are not above criticism

Nader Bakkar 15 May 2013

We promised people to be truthful and to recognize the truth to the best of our ability, even if it was against ourselves. And Muslims – as the Hadith states – are obliged to stick to what they promise.

“Chicken nuggets”: Bahrain’s lost generation goes mainstream

Hasan Tariq Al Hasan 15 May 2013

The battle for culture, the conquest of space, the re-interpretation of heritage and the competition for writing Bahrain’s collective memory are well under way in an island roughly half the size of New York City.

Libya's political isolation law: confusion and charade

Rhiannon Smith 15 May 2013

How will this Political Isolation Law benefit Libya? The manner in which it was passed has set a precedent for rule by intimidation and has undermined Libya's transition towards democracy, justice and rule of law.

Qatar’s dark side

Michael Stephens 15 May 2013

The influx of journalists, writers, thinkers and generally socially engaged expatriates, alongside a growing class of civically minded Qataris ensures that these dark sides no longer remain hidden from view.

Labour Day in Turkey: ‘proportional force’ and irresponsible leadership

Ali Gokpinar 15 May 2013

Perhaps Turkey has never used tear gas in its 90-year history as much as it has done in the last ten years.

This week's editor

Heather McRobie


Niki Seth-Smith is a freelance journalist and co-editor of OurKingdom.

Europe from the bottom up

European Union stars in Paris. Flickr/notarim. Some rights reserved.

A new Europe can only come from the bottom up
Etienne Balibar

A social Europe must be a political Europe
Bo Stråth

As Europe is provincialized: a reply to Etienne Balibar
Sandro Mezzadra

European debate

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Nuclear non-proliferation

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oDRussia at journalismfestival .com

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The media in Europe

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