The Arab Spring: Endgames as Framing Battle

The narrative of the Arab Spring (including the Syrian uprising) in the mainstream media appears clear and linear: a cruel dictator is challenged in a series of street demonstrations that rapidly coalesce to become a popular uprising. The dictator resorts to increasingly brutal repression, but this fails to end the challenge. Within a relatively short time the dictator is overthrown. Elections within a reasonable period are announced, promising the creation of a democracy that is representative not only of the protest movement, but of society as a whole.

Raghida Dergham's Huffington Post article largely reflects this perspective, drawing attention to the increasing support the analysis is receiving from powerful international actors.