Greg Karlstrom, The Economist's Middle East correspondent, discusses the disillusionment following the Arab Spring, highlighting Tunisia's democratic struggle amid authoritarianism. Su Lin Wong, China's correspondent, sheds light on the slow progress of feminism and the Me Too movement, featuring a landmark sexual assault case that has ignited public support. The conversations highlight the challenges faced in both regions, illustrating the stark contrast between initial hope and current realities.
A revolutionary conflagration a decade ago has almost entirely flickered out. We ask what happened to all the optimism and why real change has been so hard to achieve. A widely watched lawsuit reveals the slow march of feminism in China, one case at a time. And a look back at Ludwig van Beethoven’s life and work, 250 years on. For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist, subscribe here www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer