European Revolutions, Arab Spring and Mediterranean Future

On Tuesday, November 8, Dr. Jean-Pierre Filiu spoke on Harvard’s campus about the Arab Spring and European revolutions.  The talk, co-sponsored by the Middle East Initiative, the Center for European Studies and the Center for Middle Eastern Studies at Harvard, drew a group of over 30 students and community members.

Dr. Filiu drew on extensive experience in both Middle Eastern and European studies to discuss parallels between current events in the Arab world and historic revolutions throughout Europe.  Particular attention was paid to the 1848 European revolutions, the 1871 French revolution, and the 1989 revolutions which brought about the fall of Communism.

Dr. Filiu noted that the European revolutions of 1848 may be the most apt comparison, but that present events are clearly unique.  Dr. Filiu challenged the assertion that present revolutions within the Arab world demonstrate a “domino” effect similar to revolutions in 1989.  While protesters in Arab nations were clearly motivated by those in other countries, he asserted that the area’s regimes are not structurally tied in the same way as Communist governments of the 1980s.

The question and answer period allowed for more in depth discussion on particular geographical areas including Israel, Syria and Bahrain.  Dr. Filiu discussed the changing dynamics for each of these nations, highlighting the increasingly difficult environment for Israel, the imminent yet unforeseeable fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and the need for Bahraini protests to become more inclusive if success is to be expected.

Dr. Filiu is Associate Professor at Sciences Po in the Paris School of International Affairs/PSIA.