The driving force behind the rebellion that is called " The Arab Spring " was wholesale corruption by the leaders of Tunisia, Egypt and Libya. Untold billions of dollars were squirrelled away not only by the dictators - but by their clans and high public officials. Now the people of those countries are looking to bring the loot home !
It will not be easy, and there is a very good chance that most of the money will simply " disappear ".
Corruption is a disease that has root and branch in many nations. Many years ago the Swiss banking system was the envy of the world. It had a reputation for discretion - and to many people having a numbered Swiss bank account was the apex of security.
Then came National Socialism in Germany - and with it " the Holocaust ". Not only the murder of six million Jews, but the plunder of their wealth - and much of this ended up in Swiss banks. Years later a bank defector revealed the shame of greed that prevailed to an outraged world. Swiss bankers realised that the true owners of much of this money were dead - and decided to keep it for themselves. They demanded the production of death certificates to release funds - and stonewalled all efforts to gain access.
Once again the world's bankers will be confronted with claims that are hard to prove. Those dictators and their families will have used great cunning to hide their wealth and much of it will be held under proxy. At best, making a claim will take years - and success will depend on the honesty of those who are in banking power.
The " Arab Spring " is a revolt taking place in poor countries. If this immense wealth can be returned it is possible to use it to bring the standard of living from " third world " to a level approaching that of the west.
It all depends on the level of honesty in countries who claim to hold higher standards !
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