What the West Doesn’t Understand About the “`Arab Spring’ Surprise”

Police Inspector Praline (investigating health claims against a candy company): ”What's this one, 'Spring Surprise’?"
Milton (owner of Whizzo Chocolate Company): “Ah--now, that's our specialty! It’s covered with darkest creamy chocolate. When you pop it in your mouth steel bolts spring out and plunge straight through both cheeks.”
--Monty Python’s Flying Circus sketch

By Barry Rubin

In effect, the Middle East is serving up the “Arab Spring Surprise.” Western observers see the dark, creamy chocolate covering. But it’s the steel bolts through the cheeks they’re going to get. 

Consider the statement of an Egyptian anchorman (Sayyed Ali) on a television station (al-Mehwar). He isn’t an important person nor is his channel a big one. But it’s a normative piece of contemporary Arab political rhetoric. Thank MEMRI for videoing and translating and give them a donation. He begins:

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http://pajamasmedia.com/barryrubin/2011/08/30/what-the-west-doesn%e2%80%99t-understand-about-the-%e2%80%9carab-spring-surprise/