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A decade ends: does it leave a legacy?
Ten years ago it was 'kicking off everywhere' - and now it is again, from the Middle East to Latin America. What has happened, and where does it leave the spectre of socialist revolution, asks ZOLTAN ZIGEDY
an stencil of former President Evo Morales adorns a a wall in La Paz, Bolivia

WILL we remember the victory in Syria as a long overdue turning point in the struggle against imperialism and, perhaps, capitalism? Does the defeat of US and Nato machinations and their surrogate combatants in Syria inspire the people of the Middle East to transcend the divisive limits of sectarian grievances and cultural manipulation? Are we seeing the decline of artificially stoked and cruelly fuelled national and religious divisiveness and a turn towards economic justice?

Certainly some respected, insightful commentators such as Patrick Cockburn and Conn Hallinan believe that the Middle East is experiencing unexpected, major realignments and a decline in sectarian conflict.

Cockburn suggests that the decline of sectarianism is accompanied by “uprisings against corruption,” though he says far too little about the connection.

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