Saudi Gazette Those who have over the years followed the events in the Middle East were aware of what was happening in Tunisia, Egypt and other Arab countries that have suffered from political oppression, but most did not expect the uprisings that have taken place. Political tyranny has divided those countries into two factions: the dictator and his associates on one side and the oppressed people on the other. The conflict between the two sides - which still prevails in a few countries ruled by dictators - is sometimes obvious but is often hidden in political undercurrents. The battle, whether fought overtly or clandestinely, is tragic and painful. Political scientists describe it as a battle between people's rights and tyrants' falsehoods. The falsehood of tyrants cannot continue but by the use of force. An oppressive regime usually gets support from those who are benefitting from it, within or outside the country. The people are armed with their faith in what is right, supported by the principles of freedom, justice, equality, democracy and human rights. The higher the awareness of the people and the more support they get, the greater is their chance to win. This happens despite the democratic transformation that, according to political experts, is a political and historical certainty. The policies of former leaders Hosni Mubarak of Egypt and Ben Ali of Tunisia made their people poor and miserable over the years. The principles of freedom, justice and equality became almost non-existent in both countries. This made the situation unbearable and bred popular resentment heightened by rejection of the demands of the people. This forced throngs of people in both countries to take to the streets to demand change and in a matter of days Mubarak and Ali were removed. What happened in Tunisia and Egypt happened in Libya and is happening in other Arab countries including Yemen, Algeria and Syria where the political conditions are similar and the popular reactions are the same. It has become impossible for oppressive regimes to quell people's reactions as long as the reasons that led to the protests remain the same. Circumventing the people's reactions is possible for a period of time but will become untenable in the long run. The success of the uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia will motivate other oppressed Arab and non-Arab people to follow in the footsteps of the Tunisians and the Egyptians. In countries where people are suffering from tyranny, the spillover of these events can only be stopped by reforms. This analysis applies to Arab countries with a republican-system of government. Countries with the monarchial system are different, as they do not practice tyranny, and show open response to their peoples' demands. Most of them continue to witness progress and development that makes them stable and distances them from the anarchy of radical change and disturbance. __
