The revolution devours its children. Two and a half years into the Arab Spring, the basic will that brought the downfall of some Arab leaders and the revolt against others − the will to improve the economic situation and civil liberties of Arab citizens − has deteriorated into civil war between ethnic groups and religions, from Libya to Iraq. The events of recent days − mostly in Egypt but not only there − are a sad reminder. Taking into consideration the ongoing bloodshed in Syria and the fear of further escalation in the streets of Cairo, some Arab pundits are slamming what they believe is a suicidal tendency of the Arab nations.

The millions protesting in Egypt, a year after Mohammed Morsi was elected president, are the most obvious example of the shattering of the dream of improvement after the fall of the old dictators, as far as ordinary citizens are concerned. In Syria, of course, the situation is much worse. Last week, a Syrian human rights group based in London said that the civil war has now claimed more than 100,000 lives. At present, President Bashar Assad’s forces are preparing for a renewed attack on Homs, still mostly under rebel control, shelling civilian neighborhoods heavily before the final incursion.

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