Publication Laka-library:
Perspectives: Political analysis and commentary from the Middele East (2011)
| Author | L.Al-Zubaidi, H.Böll Foundation |
| Date | April 2011 |
| Classification | 5.01.0.00/02 (MIDDLE EAST - GENERAL) |
| Front | 
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From the publication:
Editorial - Nuclear Energy and the Arab Spring After decades of relative quiet, popular discontent erupted massively in Arab streets. Starting with the protests in Tunisia, and across social, political and demographic boundaries, Arab populations are openly challenging those tenets of power that oppressed them for decades. Aged dictators are forced into exile. In some countries, authoritarian rule, hereditary presidencies and exclusive decision-making by isolated elites seem patterns of the past. Dignity is the word of the day. Arab societies long portrayed as conglomerates of tribal confederations and clan-based clienteles rediscover in their revolts collective responsibility and sense of belonging. Identical slogans and political demands are reverberating in the main squares of Tunis, Cairo, Sanaa and many other cities. The collective movements that proved so powerful, mature and disciplined in overthrowing the top brass of oppressive structures in Tunisia und Egypt are now facing the massive task to transform ailing political institutions, to reform security apparatuses, to combat corrupt structures, and to increase opportunities for social, economic and political participation. In Libya, the country's leadership is waging outright war against the uprising of its people. And in again other countries, such as Algeria, Bahrain, Syria, Saudi-Arabia and he Gulf in general, authoritarian rule seems deeply entrenched and quite resilient. Despite all uncertainties, one factor is clear: there is an element of irreversible change and open debate in the Arab World, and a sense that democratic articipation is not limited to forming political parties and competing in elections. Today, Arab citizens claim their right to be informed and to have a word when decisions are being taken by governments that may affect the very future of their societies. The transfer and use of modern technologies requires such decisions. Among the most controversial of all, the civilian use of nuclear energy ranks high on the list. The nuclear disaster in the Japanese city of Fukushima on 11 March 2011 has brought the destructive potential of this technology to the forefront again. A leading industrial nation, Japan was not able to prevent the exposure of its citizens to massive hazards and risks as a result of the nuclear meltdown. Should Arab countries with less advanced technological capacities invest in nuclear energy production that proved uncontrollable in Japan? Why do Arab decision-makers perceive nuclear energy as bridge to the solar age and potential to decrease the dependency of external resources? Why is nuclear power so popular, despite its negative reputation in reliability, security and sustainability? What are the viewpoints of civil society? These and other questions will be discussed in the first edition of Perspectives Middle East - Political Analysis and Commentary, of the Heinrich Boil Stiftung. Analysts, activists and decision-makers in the region and Europe take a critical look at the emergence of nuclear energy programs in the Arab world. The eight articles and interviews of this e-publication will be followed by a special issue of Perspectives Middle East in April 2011, with an in-depth focus on the extraordinary developments of the Arab revolutions. Perspectives Middle East is a publication series of the Heinrich Boil Stiftung's offices in Beirut and Ramallah that seeks to provide a platform for presenting analysis and viewpoints primarily of experts from the region.
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