Rash of protests indicates US losing foothold in region

Dubai: Analysts see the pro-democracy demonstrations sweeping across the region as an early indication that the US is losing its foothold in the region.

"It's a turning point for US power across the region," Rosemary Hollis, professor of Middle Eastern studies at London's City University, said.

"They have been exercising their influence through these autocratic regimes and now the tide is turning."

Analysts seem to be divided on what the spillover effects of the fall of the Tunisian and Egyptian regimes will be as each country has its own unique dynamics and political systems.

Thousands of demonstrators clashed with police and government supporters in the Yemeni capital Sana'a yesterday chanting slogans against President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has taken major steps to prove to the people that he is open to reform.

Saleh yesterday announced that he would open his office to listen to those who want him to step down.

Turning point

Protests have slowly intensified over the past few days in Yemen, Algeria, Iran and Bahrain. Opinions vary as to whether there will be a tide of uprisings or the revolutionary zeal will eventually die down.

"One way or the other, we continue to believe that recent events in Tunisia and Egypt are likely to prove a significant turning point for the region as a whole," wrote Alastair Newton, a political analyst at Nomura Research Institute.

"But it remains to be seen how quickly other regimes may be forced to change and what direction such changes might take."

— With inputs from Reuters

Have Your Say

Do you believe that this is a positive turning point? Will this bring more power and peace to the affected countries?