The Future of Democracy in the Arab World: What went wrong with the “Arab Spring,” and how can it be fixed?
Tuesday, November 22, 2022
Speakers
Dr. Moncef Marzouki
Former President of Tunisia.
Radwan Masmoudi
Executive Director of Center for the Study of Islam and Democracy
Husam Kaid (Moderator)
Congressional Affairs Officer, Washington Center for Yemeni Studies
Former Tunisian President Mohamed Moncef Marzouki discussed the future of democracy in the Middle East amid the aftermath of the so-called Arab Spring–a series of anti-government protests that occurred in the region around 2010-2012.
He outlined why the revolutions failed, saying citizens were victims of ruling elites and intervening dictators across the region, as well as internal divisions between Islamists and secularists. The former president also said the fight for democracy is ongoing, and he fears a more violent revolution will happen in the future, which he called an “Arab Volcano.”
The Washington Center for Yemeni Studies hosted this event in collaboration with The Center for the Study of Islam and Democracy at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.
