The Middle East is in turmoil.

From Morocco to Iran, protesters have taken to the streets

to demand an end to autocratic and corrupt government.
This mass movement has taken the region's leaders by surprise. Already two dictators
have fallen. Longstanding authoritarian regimes are suddenly in danger of collapse.
This week, police in Bahrain dispersed demonstrations, killing at least five. Gunshots
rang out on the streets of Libya as young people prepared for a 'day of rage' against their
dictator. In Yemen, protesters and government supporters fought bloody battles in the
streets.
In Iran, 'green revolutionaries' have ventured onto the streets again to object to the
repressive regime of the Ayatollahs.
Why this sudden wave of protest? Tension in the region has been building for some time.
Most Middle Eastern countries have very young populations, with a low average age, and
unemployment among these young people is very high.
Also, young Arabs are much more likely than their parents to use social media like
Twitter and Facebook, and to be able to access uncensored news websites like Al Jazeera
or the BBC.
The global economic crisis also plays a part. Rising prices, especially for food, had a
huge impact on the lives of Arab citizens, many of whom are very poor. As people found
themselves unable to feed their families, anger against governments quickly grew.

One such person was Mohamed Bouazizi, a Tunisian vegetable seller. On December 17th
2010, his vegetable cart was taken by local police, who were probably hoping for a bribe.
It was his sole livelihood.
Humiliated and desperate, Bouazizi covered himself in gasoline and set himself on fire in
front of a local government building. He died in hospital a fortnight later.
This dramatic act of protest provoked a savage outpouring of anger. Ten days after
Bouazizi's death, the Tunisian President fled the country and his government was
overthrown.
Protests soon spread to Egypt. Millions of ordinary people marched against their
President, Hosni Mubarak. On February 11th his government too was toppled after 30
years in power.
Winds of change
Some are calling this the 'Arab Revolution.' They hope that the old order in the Middle
East may soon be swept away by a new democratic awakening.
Things may not be so simple. Not all these countries are the same, and a revolution is no
guarantee of democracy. But whatever happens now, the Middle East will never be the
same again.
Bahrain
Population: 738,000
Median age: 30
Youth unemployment: 20.1% (2001 estimate)
Ruler: King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalif
Pearl Square, in the capital city Manama, has become the focal point of protests
demanding wide-ranging political reforms. The crackdown has been brutal, with
hundreds injured and a few fatalities.
The army and security forces have taken control of parts of the city, and are promising to
'take very strict measure' against the protests.
The country has frequently been hit by violence because of tensions between two Muslim
factions, the ruling Sunni elite and the Shia majority who are discriminated against by
law. Bahraini government sources are presenting the latest unrest as a continuation of that
long-standing tension, but protesters say this is about democracy rather than religious
differences.
The US is in a difficult position in Bahrain. It wants to be seen to support democracy, but
Bahrain is strategically very important. Not only is it an important petrol producer, it is
also home to the US Fifth Fleet, which patrols the waters of the Persian Gulf. There are
fears that instability in Bahrain could increase the influence of Iran, a mainly Shia nation
which is very hostile to the US.

Iran
Population: 77 million
Median age: 26
Youth unemployment: 22%
Rulers: Supreme Leader Ali Hoseini-Khamenei; President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
Iran overthrew its Shah or king in 1979 after a popular uprising. But instead of
democracy, a religious order has followed, known as the Islamic Republic. Religious
leaders, called Ayatollahs, hold sway, alongside a President chosen in elections that do
not meet international standards.
Repeated efforts by youthful pro-democracy protestors to bring about change have been
put down by President Ahmedinejad's security forces. But the events in Tunisia and
Egypt have brought the opposition's 'green revolutionaries' back on the streets.
Iran is one of the most powerful countries in the Middle East and its government is very
hostile to the US and the West.
Libya
Population: 6.5 million
Median age: 24
Youth unemployment: 27.4%
Ruler: Muammar al-Gaddafi
Libya is located in North Africa and is in reality an authoritarian state, although the
government claims to have been chosen by the masses. It has no constitution and is ruled
by revolutionary leader Col. Muammar al-Gaddafi. Gaddafi has been accepted as the
head of state since 1969 despite not having an official title. It is believed that around 1/3
of Libyans live on or below the poverty line.
Colonel Gaddafi's regime in Libya is one of the most autocratic regimes in the Middle
East. Although the country is comparatively rich, due to its large reserves of oil and
natural gas, poor living standards and political repression have led to a wave of protest in
which at least 24 people are said to have been killed.
Gaddafi is likely to be willing to go much further in suppressing protests than other Arab
leaders. There are reports that he has hired mercenaries from Central Africa to crush the
opposition.

Yemen
Population: 24 million
Median age: 18
Youth unemployment: 18.7%
Ruler: Ali Abdullah Saleh
Yemen's autocratic ruler President Saleh has been challenged by protests ever since
Tunisia's 'Jasmine Revolution' in the New Year.
This small, very poor nation, where half the population is illiterate, is one of the most
dangerous and volitile in the region. Western governments are already worried about
Yemen as a home and a training ground for terrorism. Crushing poverty and discontent
with the government has led to repeated protests, which are now becoming more urgent
and widespread. Saleh has promised not to artificially prolong his rule or appoint his son
as a successor.

Jordan
Population: 6.4 million
Median Age: 22
Youth unemployment: 27%
Ruler: King Abdullah II bin al-Hussein
Over the past five weeks, thousands have been protesting in Jordan over high
unemployment and rising prices. King Abdullah was forced to sack his Prime Minister,
and appointed a new government on 10th February.

Algeria
Population: 35 million
Median Age: 27
Youth unemployment: 17%
Ruler: Abdelaziz Bouteflika
Protests have been taking place in Algeria since January, driven by economic hardship
and rising prices. Protesters have been demanding democracy and an end to the country's
emergency laws, which restrict democratic rights and have been in place since 1992.
Early in February, President Bouteflika promised to lift the state of emergency 'soon'.
However, he has not done so yet.

Saudi Arabia
Population: 26 million
Median age: 25
Youth unemployment: 16%
Ruler: King Abdullah Bin Abdul-Aziz
Saudi Arabia is the most important country in the region because of its immense oil
wealth. But while the ruling royal family, the House of Saud, and the elite enjoy a life of
some luxury, the rest of the population endures poverty, under-employment and the harsh
restrictions of life under the religious police. Women in particular endure a very limited
life because of the regime's hardline interpretation of Islam.
The combination of unemployment among a very young, discontented and growing
population, lack of education and political power, and the repressions of the regime,
makes for a potentially explosive combination.
Because of oil and extremely valuable defence contracts, Saudi Arabia is a key ally of the
UK and the US.

Sudan
Population: 44 million
Median age: 18
Ruler: Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir
Sudan, the largest country in Africa, created when the colonial powers pulled out, is
splitting into two separate nations after a long and brutal civil war.
A referendum in January resulted in approval for the creation of a southern Sudanese
state, which will no longer be ruled by the government of General Bashir in Khartoum.
Since the referendum, however, violent clashes in the south have left hundreds dead,
according to news agencies. In the north of the country, which neighbours the Arab
world, street protests against the government have been reported.