Ben Ali’s exile in Saudi Arabia, with whom Tunisia has an extradition treaty, is an uneasy one.
Who’s More Delusional? Former Tunisian President Ben Ali or Washington?
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Tunisia
The United States and the Prospects for Democracy in Islamic Countries
The unarmed insurrection that overthrew the Ben Ali regime in Tunisia has opened up debate regarding prospects for democratization in Arab and other predominately Muslim countries. Many in the West are familiar with the way unarmed pro-democracy insurrections have helped bring democracy to Eastern Europe, Latin America, and parts of Asia and Africa. But they discount the chances of such movements in Islamic countries, despite Tunisia being far from the first. Meanwhile, the United States — despite giving lip service in support for democracy – continues to actively support authoritarian governments in Islamic countries.
Arab Democracy Now!
The campaign against dictatorship in the Arab world has brought together some strange bedfellows. The Bush administration’s neoconservatives darkly dreamed of democracy promotion in the Middle East before the Iraq and Afghanistan quagmires became the stuff of nightmares. Sharing the same bed, but dreaming different dreams, have been the Muslim Brotherhood and its fellow Islamists who have long railed against the injustices of authoritarian regimes in locales such as Egypt, Syria, and the Gulf States. And now, of course, the predominantly young protestors of Tunisia have turned dream into reality by ousting their dictator Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali after 23 years at the helm.
New York Times Finally Deigns to Cover Tunisia
The U.S. State Department needs to know whether a post-Ben Ali government would maintain Tunisia’s commitments to AFRICOM and support for extraordinary rendition.
Pro-Democracy Uprising Fails to Keep Washington From Backing Tunisian Dictatorship
When the uprisings began, the U.S. Congress saw fit to pass a budget resolution that included $12 million in security assistance to Tunisia’s regime.
Tunisia: Yezzi Fock (Enough!)
When young resister immolated himself, he likely took the political futures of the Tunisian president and his wife with him.
Inspiring Story of Tunisian Protests Ignored by Washington
Even though President Ben Ali and his wife have used privatization as an excuse to buy up state property at bargain basement prices, the U.S. still supports them.
Will the Tunisian President Go the Way of Ceausescu? (Part 3)
The end may be near for Ben Ali’s 23-year-reign, marked by a succession of human rights violations.
Will the Tunisian President Go the Way of Ceausescu? (Part 2)
The end may be near for Ben Ali’s 23-year-reign, marked by a succession of human rights violations.
Will the Tunisian President Go the Way of Ceausescu? (Part 1)
The end may be near for Ben Ali’s 23-year-reign, marked by a succession of human rights violations.