The cruellest spring

Al-Qa’eda has begun to harness the Arab revolts

Since the movement was launched by the self-immolation of a Tunisian street vendor, I have been a sceptic about this Arab Spring and its promise of delivering economic prosperity for all. When it comes to democratic institutions and the rule of law, the Middle East has been locked in a permafrost of repression since most of its states first proclaimed their independence. Which is why no one should be surprised that for all the commitment and sacrifices made by pro-democracy demonstrators in such disparate states such as Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Syria, Bahrain and Yemen, their chances of achieving their goals are fading by the day.

Take Yemen, a country that is already riven with half a dozen civil wars. It is more likely to experience another bout of brutal infighting than undergo radical political reform in the wake of President Abdullah Ali Saleh’s flight to Saudi Arabia for medical treatment.