It is not yet clear where the Arab revolts are heading. The ripples set off by the uprising on the streets of Tunis in January have yet to reach the shore, so to speak.
From Morocco to Muscat, Arab rulers are now getting the clear message that the status quo that has existed in their countries for years, even decades, is unacceptable to large numbers of their population.
Protests are at different stages in different countries – it would be wrong to think of this as one, single movement with a united opposition and a common agenda. But there are still common threads that run right across the region.
