By Brian Brannon ’11
THE ROUNDUP
Brophy students have been bombarded with information from various sources regarding controversies in the Middle East and Africa.
The current wildfire of political uprisings requires students to examine the causes of these events and the effect they have on each other.
The United States recently took a larger role in the conflicts by participating in a newly formed coalition against the forces of Muammar el-Qaddafi in Libya, according to The New York Times.
Qaddafi’s violent oppression against dissidents and rebels was hindered as the coalition forces sent 112 Tomahawk missiles towards strategic locations.
The uprising of the Libyan people was a result of similar uprising against oppressive governments around the region.
The siege of Tunisia’s government began in December as citizens started demanding more jobs and more freedom from the government, according to the British Broadcasting Corporation.
Dissidents of the government came from around the country to protest for a true voice within their own government.
These actions soon found their way into the hearts of neighboring nationals.
The influx of information and events in Tunisia motivated others to rise up against their government and request better living conditions and rights.
Following Tunisia’s example, Jordanians began protesting Jan. 14 over sky-rocketing prices of food and oil, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Soon afterwards the Jordanian ruler, King Abdullah III, removed his cabinet and formed a new one.
Even after the change in political counsel the citizens of Jordan still protested against the government causing King Abdullah to seek council from the Muslim Brotherhood, according The Wall Street Journal.
The demonstrations in both of these countries lit a match of activism across Northern Africa and the Middle East as the citizens of neighboring countries took to the street.
Following Tunisia’s example, protestors in Egypt began marching on the streets on Jan. 25 of Cairo against President Mubarak, according to Reuters.com.
The Protestors were quickly met with military and anti-riot police but didn’t back down as tension increased between the two groups.
The political and ideological conflicts in these countries commenced riots in other countries and could change the political structure of the Middle East as oppressive leaders step down.
