Monthly Access December 2011 (Issue 23)

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Monthly Access is the online magazine of ACCESS, the AIIA's network for students and young professionals.

All the views expressed in this newsletter are solely those of the individual writers. The AIIA, while providing a forum for discussion and debate on international issues, does not formulate its own institutional views, and eschews political bias.

Monthly Access will be taking a break for summer, with the next issue to be published in March 2012. The topic for the March issue is Separatism and Self-Determination. We welcome submissions of between 400 to 600 words on these topics, or any other issues in international affairs. The deadline for submission for the March Issue is 23rd February 2012.

To submit an article to MA and for all general enquiries email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Message from the Editor

Welcome for the final issue of MA for 2011. This month's issue looks at Democracy and the Arab Spring. As one of the major events of 2011, the Arab Spring represented a hopeful moment for democrats in the Middle East. However, as the months rolled on, the Arab Spring has settled into mixed results. While largely successful in their uprising against the established regimes in these countries, focus has now turned to the questions whether democracy will be the ultimate result.

Global Snapshot – December edition

By Rachel Hankey

The December issue of Global Snapshot, which brings current international issues and news from around the world. November saw the economic turmoil in the Euro zone claim two Prime Ministers and a G20 summit sominated by economic concerns, as well as an ASEAN summit that brings Burma's regime out of the wilderness, as well as continued aftershocks of the Arab Spring in Syria and Yemen.

Q&A with Natalie Sambhi and Nic Jenzen-Jones, editors of Security Scholar

Interviewed by Roselina Press

Security Scholar is an Australian website which covers security, defence and foreign policy issues concerning Australia, Southeast Asia and Afghanistan. Natalie Sambhi, the website’s founding editor, is a Hedley Bull Scholar in International relations and a Masters graduate of the Asia-Pacific College of Diplomacy at the Australian National University. Co-editor Nic Jenzen-Jones is a freelance writer and a corporate liaison specialist for the private security and defence industries.

Control of Industry and Now Politics by the Egyptian Military

By Sharna de Lacy

The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) has been ruling Egypt since the negotiated resignation of President Hosni Mubarak on 11 February 2011. While attracting initial pubic support, the military has attracted much criticism its for lingering political role, authoritarian practices and resistance to genuine democratic reform.

Feminism in the Arab world

By Katherine Tranter

Much has been said about the potential of prospective democratic transitions following the Arab Spring to deliver advancements in upholding women’s rights. Nevertheless, some Islamists have asserted that as feminism is a Western construct it is inherently incompatible with Islam and would lead to family and social breakdown. Further it has been argued that the push for women’s rights in the Middle East is simply a Western-inspired attack on Islam. However, feminism has a long history in the Arab world, which reflects prevailing societal values.

The Role of Egyptian Women in the Arab Spring

By Katherine Hauser

The dust has settled on the Arab Spring uprisings, and it is important to now reflect on the diversity among participants, the demands put forward and the opportunities and risks of democratic transition. This article will explore achievements and the challenges faced by Egyptian women during the Arab Spring and the transitional period.

Iran and Nuclear Proliferation

By Zeb Leonard

In light of recent developments in the Middle East, a considerable amount of attention has been directed at the possibility that Iran may be close to the acquisition of a fission weapon. On 8 November 2011, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency issued to the agency’s board of directors the Implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement and Relevant Provisions of Security Council Resolutions in the Islamic Republic of Iran, which is yet to be released to the public. Key to this issue is the concept of uranium enrichment.

Event Report: Citizen Diplomacy

On Tuesday 8th November, Global Dialogue Foundation joined ACCESS at Dyason House to present an event entitled, "Citizen Diplomacy: How Ordinary People can Change the World."

Q&A with HE James Michel, President of the Seychelles

Interviewed by Francis Ventura

HE James Michel has been President of the Seychelles since 2004, having previously served as Vice President from 1996 to 2004. Mr Michel was in Australia for the Commonwealth Heads Of Government Meeting (CHOGM) held in Perth from 28-30 October 2011. Mr Michel speaks about the Diamond Jubilee Fund, the role of the Commonwealth in addressing development issues, and the challenges faced by small developing countries in balancing development and sustainability, in an international order designed by and for much larger nations.

Values and culture in Arab Democracy

By Andrew Romanin

A democracy is only as good as the values and culture that inform its participants.This fact is taken for granted in established democracy, but can become a vital force in countries that are transitioning to democracy.

The Bumpy Road to Democracy

By Nicholas Clarke

“I don’t know what democracy means, but I know we need more of it”
The words of a poster held by a student protester, Tiananmen Square 1989)

At the end of the Cold War, Francis Fukayama infamously claimed political development had reached its zenith – encapsulated in his seminal work ‘The End of History’. With authoritarian regimes toppling across the Eastern Bloc, the argument over political systems was over, and democracy had won the battle of ideas. It would be only a matter of time before western democracy would emerge worldwide.

Arab Spring Falters as an Icy Chill Returns

By Amal Varghese

The last eleven months have blown winds of change across the Arab world not seen since the end of colonial rule. Syria, Bahrain, Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Yemen and Iran have all been affected in some way or another.

The Arab Spring: Call me a pessimist but…

By Benjamin Moles

Thinking of spring evokes images of new beginnings and hope: a transition from the cold recesses and darkness of winter to an awakening and optimism before summer.

The transformations apparent in the seasonal change from winter to spring seem somewhat missing in retrospect from the so called Arab-Spring. One must remember the adage ‘one swallow doesn’t make a summer’ and ask what has really changed. Is the 'Arab-Spring' not just been a blindly optimistic term conjured up for a couple of warm days in July?