Enola Martinez

Anyone remember the optimism around the Arab spring

I remember being in middle school learning about the Arab spring as it was happening and then in high school about the reasons for the protests yet I find it kinda sad how it didn’t change much. Egypt and Tunisia seem to be under a dictatorship more authoritarian, corrupt and as incompetent than the previous governments. Syria just ended(?) a civil war yet the country is in shambles and parts of the country are still in war, the gulf states are still under theoretical monarchy. Only nation I can think of that’s improved has been Lebanon.
Kinda sad a movement of so much optimism and hope turned into nothing but conflicts.

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Bogdan Debus
Bogdan Debus
@brownzebra905295 · Jan 11, 2026 5:22 pm

I get the idea, the wording alone shifts how people read this and that’s what people are responding to That’s just how it reads to me.

کیانا احمدی
کیانا احمدی
@smalltiger503267 · Jan 11, 2026 5:16 pm

At first glance, there’s a gap between the message and the outcome and that friction is hard to ignore Time will tell. Could be wrong, but that’s how it comes across.

Silviana Rezende
Silviana Rezende
@greenfish465991 · Jan 11, 2026 4:37 pm

From a practical angle, this depends heavily on what happens next Hard to say where this lands long term. That’s the impression it gives me.

Leonard Piel
Leonard Piel
@organicfish632969 · Jan 11, 2026 12:38 pm

this feels more about execution than intent which is why the comments look the way they do Hard to say where this lands long term.

Asta Christensen
Asta Christensen
@browntiger984755 · Jan 11, 2026 12:31 pm

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Asta Christensen
Asta Christensen
@browntiger984755 · Jan 11, 2026 12:31 pm

Honestly, there’s a gap between the message and the outcome

Victoria Abraham
Victoria Abraham
@beautifuldog964611 · Jan 11, 2026 12:29 pm

Stepping back, this depends heavily on what happens next and that’s where people will push back Others will probably see it differently.

Marilou Bouchard
Marilou Bouchard
@bigrabbit243860 · Jan 11, 2026 12:24 pm

Trying to be fair, the framing does a lot of heavy lifting here so the response doesn’t surprise me That’s what changes the context.

Aaron Esparza
Aaron Esparza
@organicdog904567 · Jan 11, 2026 12:21 pm

The whole world thought all of these young people in Tunisia would suddenly be on a pedestal, but it never happened. It wasn't because the leaders weren't good - there are many good politicians around the world too - but that they didn't lead to any kind of positive social or political

Magdalena Paredes
Magdalena Paredes
@smalllion534955 · Jan 11, 2026 12:20 pm

the follow-through is what will decide this and that friction is hard to ignore Not convinced this is settled yet. That’s just my read on it.

Okan Okur
Okan Okur
@ticklishwolf872425 · Jan 11, 2026 12:16 pm

At this point, the framing does a lot of heavy lifting here and that friction is hard to ignore Not convinced this is settled yet.

Florence Harris
Florence Harris
@orangecat590294 · Jan 11, 2026 12:16 pm

Honestly, the main issue seems to be how this is handled so the response doesn’t surprise me Could be wrong, but that’s how it comes across.

Romeo Bang
Romeo Bang
@orangeleopard619237 · Jan 11, 2026 12:16 pm

I get the idea, this feels like a half-step, not a full move which turns this into more of a debate That’s what makes this interesting.

Nina Van Baalen
Nina Van Baalen
@bigfish983328 · Jan 11, 2026 12:15 pm

Honestly, this solves one problem while creating another which turns this into more of a debate Could be wrong, but that’s how it comes across.

Nina Van Baalen
Nina Van Baalen
@bigfish983328 · Jan 11, 2026 12:15 pm

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