Inspiring revolt in Nth Africa and the Middle East

Vanguard March 2011 p. 1
Jim H.

As revolts against a string of governments take place, many countries in North Africa and the Middle East are in turmoil. Most of these revolts are clearly aimed against oppressive and puppet regimes, with a long history of close ties with US and European imperialism.

The region was once a set of colonies, exploited and oppressed by foreigners, often using local despots to do their dirty work. Peoples fought for liberation. Through the 1950’s and into the 1970’s, popular uprisings, combined with capable leaderships put an end to colonial status. This period saw the rise of Nasser in Egypt and of the Baath socialist movement in the Arab region. It was clearly anti-imperialist and stood for self-determination. Comparable developments occurred in North Africa. This history still reverberates through the region, affecting the developments of today.

The business of gaining independence has still not been completed. Economic and diplomatic dependence remains. Some governments continue to serve foreign masters. Others strive to gain some independence. There have been successes and failures. But it is the continuing influence and control by imperialism that is the number one obstacle to economic and social progress. Today’s revolt moves in the direction of overcoming this obstacle. Imperialism and neo-colonialism still maintain decisive influence and recruit puppets to rule on their behalf.

The effect of economic crisis
There is also the impact of the deepening economic crisis of imperialism. It has had a particularly serious impact on the region, bringing about a falling in living standards and opportunities for a better future. Peoples have found that they can no longer tolerate living in the same way.

Our monopoly media creates the impression that the political situation came almost spontaneously out of nowhere, a creation of social media. The truth is that it is the result of years of painful organising, preparing, testing and building leadership and learning through experience. Social media cannot do this alone. On this foundation, a spark was required to light the ready tinder box.

Meddling of imperialism
Imperialism also meddles in the situation, sometimes seeking to protect its existing puppets, sometimes working to replace those that have passed their use-by date. At other times, it meddles to extend its influence into new areas. Where this is the driving force for increasing instability and fomenting turmoil, it will bring no good to those affected by it, even if it carried out under the banners of democracy and human rights. When the prospect is the turning of a nation into an exploited and dependent vassal of imperialism, there will be a stop to democracy, human rights and progress.

Each situation is unique. Applying one label to all cases is wrong. An informed opinion comes out of consideration of the particular circumstances, the alignment and balance of class forces and whether the movement is objectively tied to or opposes imperialism and holds the prospect of bettering the lives of the majority.

Putting the above consideration aside, the uprisings are a fantastic development overall, not only for this part of the world, but also for other peoples, encouraged by the example to lift the level of their own resistance against injustice, against exploitation, against imperialism and for self-determination.

An example is the protest movement in Wisconsin against the arch reactionaries trying to impose a new wave of anti-people measures.

In North Africa and the Middle East, in the ferment of struggle, people work out the direction in which they have to travel, and who are their friends and who are their enemies. There is the prospect of considerable advance to a better future.

Important for Australia too
It is important for us in Australia too. We have our own battles. Anti-worker and anti-democratic laws must be ended. The damage to our economy and society being brought about through exploitation by foreign interests must also be ended once and for all. Australia must achieve its independence as a nation, working for the interests of the majority. We could borrow a slogan that has been taken up in Wisconsin – “act like an Egyptian”.