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Post-Arab Spring, Hisham Melhem fears 'Arab civilization has collapsed'

Across much of the Arab world, there are citizens who saw a struggle against dictators as a chance for democracy, only to face more tyranny. Hisham Melhem says it is nothing short of the collapse of Arab civilization and that the so-called Arab elite, must stop blaming the west and work to fix it themselves....
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The Current23:20'Arab civilization has collapsed', says journalist Hisham Melhem - Sept 30, 2014
Across much of the Arab world, there are citizens who saw a struggle against dictators as a chance for democracy, only to face more tyranny. Hisham Melhem says it is nothing short of the collapse of Arab civilization and that the so-called Arab elite, must stop blaming the west and work to fix it themselves.

The brutality of terrorists in Syria and Iraq forces us to look into the heart of darkness ... The terrorist group known as ISIL must be degraded and ultimately destroyed. It is time for the world - especially Muslim communities - to explicity, forcefully and consistently reject the ideology of organizations like al-Qaeda and ISIL.US President Barack Obama

US President Barack Obama used powerful language when addressing the United Nations last week. He made it clear the US would use its might to dismantle ISIS. The British Parliament also voted in favour of airstrikes. And Prime Minister Stephen Harper says that Canada won't 'stand on the sidelines'.

• The Barbarians Within Our Gates -- Hisham Melhem/Politico

Our guest Hisham Melhem believes these world leaders are unlikely to restore order because he believes something fundamental is smashed. He believes Arab civilization has broken down.

Hisham Melhem is the Washington bureau chief of Al-Arabiya, a Dubai-based satellite channel. He is also the correspondent for Annahar, a leading Lebanese daily newspaper.


What do you think about Hisham Melhem's ideas and his view of the Arab world?

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This segment was produced by The Current's Kristin Nelson.

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