The New Arabs: How the Millennial Generation is Changing the Middle East Juan Cole

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The book, The New Arabs: How the Millennial Generation is Changing the Middle East, is authored by Juan Cole. The book comprises of eight chapters. Juan Cole seems to have a dual purpose in writing this book. On the one hand, he wants to give a comprehensive overview of the role and function of the revolutionary youth of the Arab Spring in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya. Secondly, he tries to give the reader a sense of collective identity what he calls Arab youth, millennial of the 21st century. “The New Arab” focuses on the Arab Spring, and in particular, the youth movements in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya that played an imperative role to topple authoritarian regimes in these countries. “Young people are the key to rapid social and political change in the Arab countries that have been in turmoil since 2011,” (p.6) Jaun Cole argues that the members of this “Arab Generation Y” (p.15) are more educated, urban and technologically advanced than their elders. Mr. Cole argues that “a new generation has been awakened” and a new positive change is taking place.

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