Summary: Reading Time: 1 minuteThere is a history to protest and unrest in the Middle East. When America and the west looked at the Arab Spring unfolding in 2011 and 2012 they imagined it within the framework of their own ideals and history.<br> Remember the 24 hour coverage in Tahrir Square?<br> <br> <br> Arab Spring<br> The reality is that protests are not uncommon to the Middle East. And historically they have not ended in a surge of democracy. They have ended with power plays and manipulations from the elite and the powerful. From Egypt to Syria to Saudi Arabia and Palestine. Protests are seldom a sign of promise for the Middle East, if we look at the events from a historical perspective. They are usually a sign of darker times ahead.<br> This podcast episode looks at the Arab Spring and counters the way it was being reported at the time of its unfolding. It also offers the historical perspective to explain why we should have seen what it would become all along.<br> <br> <br> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/theendofhistory/PHVq/~6/1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"></a><br> <a href="https://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/headlineanimator/install?id=nb64uri41haerm5fvtnnavfgjo&w=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">↑ Grab this Headline Animator</a><br> <br> If you have enjoyed this podcast episode on the history of the Middle East, you might enjoy the entire series. You can download/stream it <a href="https://soundcloud.com/the-end-of-history-podcast/sets/history-of-the-modern-middle-east">here at my SoundCloud page</a> or <a href="https://wp.me/p2iDfo-1tA">click here to see the entire series and posts here at the web site</a>. You might also enjoy my <a href="https://wp.me/p2iDfo-1ty">Guide to Understanding the Middle East</a>.<br>
