Why is it all the experts missed the Arab Spring

[Mediocrates]

http://hnn.us/blogs/questions-about-...ss-arab-spring

From news article:

Indeed since academia is the center of Government advising, including to executive branches and agencies, the scholarly experts are in charge of educating lawmakers, executive leaders and media as to the historical roots of social movements in the region, major upheavals and trends towards the future. One can say that -based on readings of its pre-Arab Spring literature- the North American and European Middle East Studies elite didn't project the social explosion, didn't describe the competition between seculars and Islamists as a result, and didn't prescribe appropriate guidelines for Western policies of engagement with secular and civil society forces. There is a significant body of research and literature available for students and researchers to excavate and reevaluate in terms of Middle East Studies books and articles praising most dictators and in some cases accepting support from their institutions. It was predictable that Middle East Studies programs praising authoritarian regimes won't "predict" the demise of the "donors." And it is now projected that expertise influenced by the rise of the Islamists, and looking forward to similar support in the future, won't spend much time and energy advising Government and educating lawmakers as to engaging the secular opponents of the Islamists.

One key reason is that almost without exception, every 'mideast studies' depart exists to condemn Israel and bolster the terrorist Palestinian cause. That is their only function. Some essentially admit this point. Certainly NGOs like AI and HRW openly say that their own focus on eliminating Israel has hindered their own efforts and fundraising for every other problem they would be expected to address. Colleges are little different.

[Ziggy]

http://hnn.us/blogs/questions-about-...ss-arab-spring


One key reason is that almost without exception, every 'mideast studies' depart exists to condemn Israel and bolster the terrorist Palestinian cause. That is their only function. Some essentially admit this point. Certainly NGOs like AI and HRW openly say that their own focus on eliminating Israel has hindered their own efforts and fundraising for every other problem they would be expected to address. Colleges are little different.

Amen, you hit that one right on the noggin, Mediocrates.