# Will Tunisian revolution inspire actions in other nations? (Now following Egypt.) \[ed. title\] **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [January 15, 2011, 9:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-tunisian-revolution-inspire-actions-in-other-nations-now-following-egypt-ed-title/567703 "2011-01-15T09:24:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 24
**Author:** ![Ryan\_Liam](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ryan_liam/32/3965_2.png) [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2011, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-tunisian-revolution-inspire-actions-in-other-nations-now-following-egypt-ed-title/567703/461 "2011-02-11T16:58:03Z")
I’d love to see the Chinese reaction to all this ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2011, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-tunisian-revolution-inspire-actions-in-other-nations-now-following-egypt-ed-title/567703/462 "2011-02-11T17:09:21Z")
> [@Ryan\_Liam](#): > > I’d love to see the Chinese reaction to all this It would be too inscrutable to notice. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2011, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-tunisian-revolution-inspire-actions-in-other-nations-now-following-egypt-ed-title/567703/463 "2011-02-11T17:10:35Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Could you give me Assad first? We can alternate - one pro-Israeli regime, one anti. What **are** the prospects, now, for bringing down Assad? ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2011, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-tunisian-revolution-inspire-actions-in-other-nations-now-following-egypt-ed-title/567703/464 "2011-02-11T17:12:53Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > What **are** the prospects, now, for bringing down Assad? My impression is that the Syrian regime is tighter with the army. Meaning ‘not good’. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2011, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-tunisian-revolution-inspire-actions-in-other-nations-now-following-egypt-ed-title/567703/465 "2011-02-11T17:12:53Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > I don’t think it counts as a military coup if the previously existing government was _also_ a military junta. Sure it does. A bunch of countries have experienced successive military coups. Nigeria had a string in the '60s and another string in the '80s. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Amazing\_Hanna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/977dab/32.png) [@The\_Amazing\_Hanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Amazing_Hanna)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2011, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-tunisian-revolution-inspire-actions-in-other-nations-now-following-egypt-ed-title/567703/466 "2011-02-11T17:22:05Z")
The Chinese government is probably safe as long as the economy keeps growing at this pace. It’s hard to think about revolution when you have to think about what model of car to buy next. If there’s a serious recession, things may happen. ---
**Author:** ![Lantern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d26b3c/32.png) [@Lantern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lantern)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2011, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-tunisian-revolution-inspire-actions-in-other-nations-now-following-egypt-ed-title/567703/467 "2011-02-11T17:28:00Z")
Such extraordinary scenes. It’s not over yet as mentioned and we will have to see how the new military-led leadership handles the transition but I think it’s unlikely that there will another authoritarian regime. If the military wanted to crush the demonstrators they would have done so and if they try to grab power, there will certainly be huge demonstrations again. I also don’t think the US will tolerate a military takeover. I suspect that the the Obama administration has played a huge role in this whole story behind the scenes, and ultimately I think Obama prefers a democratic Egypt. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2011, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-tunisian-revolution-inspire-actions-in-other-nations-now-following-egypt-ed-title/567703/468 "2011-02-11T17:29:52Z")
…I’m not sure that describing _this_ transition as a “coup” is very accurate, though. The army is in charge now and we might say the army was the fulcrum around which events turned, but the force on the lever was applied by the people in the streets. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2011, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-tunisian-revolution-inspire-actions-in-other-nations-now-following-egypt-ed-title/567703/469 "2011-02-11T17:30:32Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > I don’t think it counts as a military coup if the previously existing government was _also_ a military junta. > [@spark240](#): > > Sure it does. A bunch of countries have experienced successive military coups. Nigeria had a string in the '60s and another string in the '80s. Right. It’s like, you know, intramural sports. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2011, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-tunisian-revolution-inspire-actions-in-other-nations-now-following-egypt-ed-title/567703/470 "2011-02-11T17:31:45Z")
> [@spark240](#): > > …I’m not sure that describing _this_ transition as a “coup” is very accurate, though. The army is in charge now and we might say the army was the fulcrum around which events turned, but the force on the lever was applied by the people in the streets. Very similar to the Philippines’ “people power” revolution, but with no Cory Aquino figure. (I wonder how many pairs of shoes Suzanne Mubarak has.) ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2011, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-tunisian-revolution-inspire-actions-in-other-nations-now-following-egypt-ed-title/567703/471 "2011-02-11T17:31:49Z")
So, when is the new leadership going to repeal the Emergency Law? ---
**Author:** ![Ryan\_Liam](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ryan_liam/32/3965_2.png) [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2011, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-tunisian-revolution-inspire-actions-in-other-nations-now-following-egypt-ed-title/567703/472 "2011-02-11T17:36:08Z")
I thought they already repealed it last night ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2011, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-tunisian-revolution-inspire-actions-in-other-nations-now-following-egypt-ed-title/567703/473 "2011-02-11T17:42:21Z")
Meanwhile, the Iranian opposition is calling for a march in Tehran next week and [the government has already made some arrests.](http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12433758) ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2011, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-tunisian-revolution-inspire-actions-in-other-nations-now-following-egypt-ed-title/567703/474 "2011-02-11T17:49:08Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Meanwhile, the Iranian opposition is calling for a march in Tehran next week and [the government has already made some arrests.](http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12433758) o/` Now you never did see such a wonderful thing as was seen last night on TV . Maybe if we're lucky they will show it again, such a wonderful thing to see. There's nothing you can do when you're the next in line, You've got to go, Domino. o/` ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2011, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-tunisian-revolution-inspire-actions-in-other-nations-now-following-egypt-ed-title/567703/475 "2011-02-11T20:26:34Z")
> [@spark240](#): > > …I’m not sure that describing _this_ transition as a “coup” is very accurate, though. The army is in charge now and we might say the army was the fulcrum around which events turned, but the force on the lever was applied by the people in the streets. It was all they had to turn to. The police have been the thugs for Mubarak. The elected officials have been essentially political appointees by Mubarak. There are no institutions in place that represent the interests of the people. The army apparently did not fire on the rioters the last 2 weeks. That did not go unnoticed. Some joined the crowds. I wait to see what flavor this change takes. There are plenty of ambitious people who will attempt to take power. Ruthless politicians will see a vacuum they can fill. The concept of a fair election relies on establishing an orderly and legal electoral process. It is starting from the ground. ---
**Author:** ![Le\_Jacquelope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Le\_Jacquelope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Jacquelope)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2011, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-tunisian-revolution-inspire-actions-in-other-nations-now-following-egypt-ed-title/567703/476 "2011-02-11T22:03:45Z")
> [@Ryan\_Liam](#): > > I’d love to see the Chinese reaction to all this The Chinese reaction, so far, is that they’re censoring news of this rebellion. One has to wonder why. (Being facetious here.) ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2011, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-tunisian-revolution-inspire-actions-in-other-nations-now-following-egypt-ed-title/567703/477 "2011-02-11T22:27:39Z")
Say, what about Libya? (Seems nobody even **talks** about Libya since the Reagan years.) How stable is Qaddafi’s regime these days? ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2011, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-tunisian-revolution-inspire-actions-in-other-nations-now-following-egypt-ed-title/567703/478 "2011-02-11T23:02:24Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Meanwhile, the Iranian opposition is calling for a march in Tehran next week and [the government has already made some arrests.](http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12433758) One can only hope. The people of Iran deserve freedom. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2011, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-tunisian-revolution-inspire-actions-in-other-nations-now-following-egypt-ed-title/567703/479 "2011-02-11T23:49:49Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Could you give me Assad first? … An attempt to use social media to get a rally going apparently [“fell flat”](http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503543_162-20031300-503543.html) last week. Still there are some changes being made. Restrictions on social media are being loosened some and Assad has promised various reforms preemptively. > [@](#): > > Syrians can log directly onto Facebook and YouTube for the first time in three years, without going through proxy servers abroad to bypass government censorship. > > The authorities, however, had issued no statements by Thursday to explain this week’s surprise move, which followed a failed attempt to rally thousands for a “day of anger” protest against the Syrian government in Damascus – a call by opposition leaders to mirror events seen in Tunisia and still unfolding in Egypt. > > The online campaign against Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad fell flat when no protesters showed up in Damascus or other Syrian cities. But rights groups and information-hungry Syrians are praising the government’s quiet decision to let the flood of social networking wash over the nation. … > > … Assad, a 45-year-old British-trained eye doctor, told The Wall Street Journal last week he would push through political reforms this year, including an attempt to initiate municipal elections, grant more power to non-government organizations and establish a media law. ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2011, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-tunisian-revolution-inspire-actions-in-other-nations-now-following-egypt-ed-title/567703/480 "2011-02-12T00:57:02Z")
There’s still a long hard road ahead, but I’m very glad Tahrir did not become synonymous with Tiananmen. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-tunisian-revolution-inspire-actions-in-other-nations-now-following-egypt-ed-title/567703.md?page=23) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-tunisian-revolution-inspire-actions-in-other-nations-now-following-egypt-ed-title/567703.md?page=25)