Arab Uprising and the Russian Revolution

The regime changes and instability in Egypt, Tunisia, Yemen and elsewhere in the Arab world may have been foreshadowed by the Russian Revolution.
When the Tsar was overthrown, there was no significant opposition group to replace his autocratic regime. In the ensuing chaos, a small but organized band of zealots, the Bolsheviks, was able to seize power and impose their ideology (Communism).
The only organized bands of ‘true believers’ in the Middle East at this time are the Islamic militants.
We cannot do much about this. The U.S. has no credibility or influence in the Middle East because of our support for rightwing autocrats. Our long term interest would have been to help and protect the people of these countries.

Written: January 30, 2011