The young Arab women and men of Tunisia, Egypt, Bahrain, Libya and Yemen have proved that they are willing to die to build a better future. They yearn for freedom, opportunity and democracy. It is doubtful they will accept anything less.
It may take time and it may get messy, but in the words of one of the Tahrir Square organizers, “The new great awakening is unfolding across the Arab world.”
What will this new world look like in five to 10 years if the vision articulated in protests, blogs, posts and tweets becomes reality?
First, after decades of brutal repression and lack of accountability, governments in the Arab world will be responsible and responsive to their people. They will foster individual freedoms, religious and ethnic diversity, enable economic growth and uphold fair judicial processes.
Commentary
Op-edA New Arab World Is Coming, with or without U.S.
February 28, 2011