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Tunisia, Egypt, and Yemen have now had significant demonstrations from their populace regarding needed changes to their governmental structure (in Yemen's case, a long reigning leader).

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/27/AR2011012702081.html

SANAA, YEMEN - Thousands of Yemenis took the streets Thursday demanding an end to the government of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has ruled this impoverished Middle Eastern nation for more than three decades.

The rally--one of the largest demonstrations this capital has seen in recent memory-- unfolded in four different neighborhoods and was inspired by the uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt.

The unrest here represented a widening of the upheavals unfolding across the Arab world, and poses yet another threat to the stability of this U.S. ally, which Al Qaeda militants are using a base to target the West and its allies.

"Look at Tunisia with pride," the crowds chanted. "Yemen has strong people, too."

But unlike the protests in Tunisia and Egypt, Thursday's rally here was peaceful, fueled by boisterous opposition party members, from socialists to Islamists, and youth activists.

Protesters shut down streets, sang songs and shouted patriotic slogans, as soldiers and riot police wearing helmets and carrying batons and shields watched. Security was tight around the capital.

"The people want the president replaced," the crowds chanted. "Live free, Yemen."

The poorest country in the Middle East, Yemen is struggling with many of the same problems faced in other Arab nations, including high unemployment, low wages, rising prices and widespread corruption. In addition to the threat posed by Al Qaeda, the weak government is grappling with a rebellion in the north and a secessionist movement in the south.

In the wake of the Tunisian rebellion and growing tensions here, Saleh raised the salaries of the army and denied accusations that he was trying to anoint his son as his successor. He also ordered income taxes cut in half and sought adequate controls on inflation.

But despite his efforts to defuse the unrest, Yemenis from all walks of life have taken to the streets over the past two weeks, calling for Saleh's removal--a demand that few citizens in the past would have dared to utter.

Good!

This is how it's supposed to work, in my opinion. Democratic reform should come from within.

Well, that's my Nile cruise off, anyway...

Work of my work colleagues has two weeks in Egypt in mid April.

Monster Rain wrote:Good!

This is how it's supposed to work, in my opinion. Democratic reform should come from within.

Assuming they're actually going to be cases of Democratic reform. The overwhelming number of instances in which authoritarian, or quasi-authoritarian regimes are toppled ends up in a "New boss, same as the old boss." scenario.

Warone wrote:
Tunisia, Egypt, and Yemen have now had significant demonstrations from their populace regarding needed changes to their governmental structure (in Yemen's case, a long reigning leader).

Lebanon, Algeria ,and Morocco as well.

If your daft enough to visit a Muslim country on holiday Alb, can I have your Orks if you dont make it back?

At least I got a machine gun when i went...

It seems that the demonstrators in Yemen are doing well enough in keeping it peaceful.

What was the OP's point?

Emperors Faithful wrote:What was the OP's point?

Posting a new article, then seeing how people react/comment/critique the news.

Well, that kind of makes it pointless. This thread would be much more interesting if you gave us something to debate one way or the other.

Rhode Island is neither a road nor an island.

Discuss.

We could discuss my theory that Africa suffers from so much turmoil because their technological level was raised before their culture could handle it. Essentialy, rifles, railroads, automobiles, and tribal cultures don't mix well.

Monster Rain wrote:Rhode Island is neither a road nor an island.

Discuss.

Pass.

Amaya wrote:We could discuss my theory that Africa suffers from so much turmoil because their technological level was raised before their culture could handle it. Essentialy, rifles, railroads, automobiles, and tribal cultures don't mix well.

Or the years of Imperialism took their toll. I'd say that's the more likely explanation given that most cultures (even civilised ones) can exhibit some form of tribalism in one way or another.

well if they listen to people i think they might be happier, we are doing this thing at work, were we are trying to stop the number of people quiting, its a ok job but people just hate the lack of management.

listen, offer a solution and action

Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war.

indeed Amaya, indeed!

Amaya wrote:We could discuss my theory that Africa suffers from so much turmoil because their technological level was raised before their culture could handle it. Essentialy, rifles, railroads, automobiles, and tribal cultures don't mix well.

Central Asia is dominated by tribal cultures, and they don't have anywhere the same level of problems that appear in Africa.

Could we point towards the tribal systems that had a layer of imperialistic border fixing sutured on back in the 18th/19th century followed by the lack of participation in helping Africa sort through the political, religious, and ethnic mess during the 20th and early 21st century (it is a more recent phenomenon that the African nations that are stable or relatively stable have gone to policing themselves and nearby neighbors, but so far their influence is limited)?

Yeah, that's basically in line with the most popular theory explaining why Africa is the way it is. Tribal society trying like hell to fit into the democratic political institutions left over by colonial powers that had not interest in incorporating said tribal structures into their method of control. As such, while the dominant forces are often organized as political parties, the reality is that they are merely impermeable ethnic groups into which one is born, and can rarely leave. Not much room for democratic compromise there.