Abstract

The Arab uprisings have shaken the regimes of the Middle East and North Africa, leading to the fall of Ben Ali in Tunisia and Mubarak in Egypt. However, the achievements of the Arab spring look extremely fragile. The new Arab generations have challenged their dictators, expressing their hunger for democracy and freedom. However, new forms of authoritarianism lurk in the dark. This article will focus on the role of the military in Egypt, on the ambiguities of Islamist movements and on the antagonism between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Aim of this article is to highlight some of the factors that are threatening emancipatory politics in the area.