The events that took place in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) in the opening months of 2011 have marked a watershed in the history of the region. Spontaneous, grass-root coalitions of mostly young people, united by shared grievances and helped by new means of civic organisation, have succeeded where nominal opposition movements – civilian and armed – have hitherto failed miserably. They have carved out a sense of political existence for the oppressed majority, and in doing so have for...