Dreams and Shadows: Robin Wright on the Future of the M.E.

Dreams and Shadows by Robin Wright was reviewed in the New York Times today. Wright is a journalist with long experience in the Middle East. Here she describes the forces of change that will determine the future of the Middle East. While the West focuses obsessively about Islamic extremism, she argues that that there are now other, more important and dynamic forces at work. She is generally optimistic describing the rise of a budding culture of change with reformers from Morocco to the Gulf slowly making their mark on civil society across the region. The reviewer of the book is skeptical noting that the influence of these reformers has been minimal as autocratic, dynastic rulers continue to thwart all attempts at change. Take Hosni Mubarak for example, according to Wright, only two other leaders have held power longer than him in Egypt's 6,000 year history. Yet, Wright argues, there are regimes that have responded, at least partially, and sometimes genuinely to the calls for change.

I hope Wright's optimism is warranted. I share her optimism some of the the time. But these days, more often than not, I share the feeling expressed by the Egyptian protester described by Wright during a demonstration in 2006 and whose poster reads: “Arab Majesties, Excellencies and Highnesses, We Spit on You”.