The question of whether trustworthy leaders are old news assumes that previous leaders were trustworthy. That might have been the case in the West during some crucial historical turning points, but in the Orient a trustworthy leader is more the exception than the rule.

Journalists are taught to be critical of politicians. The general population in many of the Arab countries doesn't need such training, nor do they need to worry about polls to have a position on their leaders. Those who are able to think independently are skeptical of their leaders, most of whom arrived in their position on top of a tank or inherited power because of blood relations to previous rulers. The absence of a rotating electoral process, an aggressive and independent media, or an independent judiciary doesn't help much in creating a sense of support for political leadership.