Two
very interesting articles that both have a potential fascinating common theme.
The
story of Saudi youth questioning traditional approaches to Islam touches on a
topic that has the royal family sleepless since the beginning of the Arab
spring.
The
article on the Shiites of Turkey in the injustices they perceive are taking
place; well..... It too has Turkish leadership worried.
So
what is the common link between these two stories?
Both
of these critical governments in the region are showing signs of social stress
that they are both long feared.
In
the case of the Saudis, is a youth movement surrounded and encased with
education and social media is simply questioning the current form of government,
is all youthful segments of society, a successful society, are known to do.
It is
this "questioning of authority" that the Saudi Royal family truly
fears organizations such as the Muslim brotherhood will exploit.
Since
the beginning of the Arab spring, the concerns of the Western world have truly
been for staining governments of the GCC nations, with Saudi Arabia being the center of
that discussion.
As is
been the case throughout the Arab spring, suppression will not be the answer
and yet suppression will be the reaction of the Saudi government.
As
for the Shiites of Turkey, their question of "injustices" is nothing
new.
Although
their numbers make them truly a minority in their country, their ability to
catch the attention of a Sunni dominated government is undeniable.
When
we look at the questions the Shia of Turkey are asking, it is difficult to
formulate an answer that they would probably understand or be willing to accept.
I
can't help but notice, it is far easier, currently, to read of the Turkish
governments concerns and actions towards the Kurdish issue then to find discussions
of Sunni Shia tensions.
I'm
not sure there is anywhere in the entire region where insecurity, social
injustices and economic imbalances does not occupy majority of the day-to-day
conversations.
But,
seeing small fissures in countries such as Saudi
Arabia and Turkey
are far different and much more ominous for everyone in the current events in Mali Libya or Tunisia
and even Syria .
Yet,
is truly music to the ears of the Iranians\the Persians\when they hear stories
of social, internal, tensions inside these two nations.
Having
said that, it is far too easy and Iran to this list!
So,
is the winter of 2013 moves towards the spring of 2013 the question becomes
what is the next phase of the "Arab Spring" / Tunisian Virus.... Yes...
I still refer to it as such :-)
http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/02/saudi-youth-question-mohammed-al-ari-tom-cruise-of-wahhabism.html
http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/02/ali-ozgunduz-shia-sectarian-fears-caferi-turkey.html
