Sisi removes Morsi in 'response to the will of the people', 2013. Demotix/Sharron Ward. All rights reserved. Arab autocrats have been very canny about remaining in power. From Egypt and Syria to Iraq and Bahrain, they have all been able swiftly and, at times, decisively to overcome the protest movements that have been rocking their world for four years.
On the surface, the trick appears to have been the use of overwhelming force alongside sectarian policies; all in an attempt to suppress the revolution and radicalize it under the rubric of “Fighting terrorism”. This all takes place, of course, while they build support for their ailing regimes.
However, in the Arab World there are much deeper structural issues that have allowed these autocrats not only to rule the region for decades, but to sidestep the Arab revolt.
