The recent developments in Tunisia are promising signs towards a more democratic era in Tunisia and even in the wider region. I am especially excited about potential spillover effects on the other autocratic Muslim countries. Roula Khalaf has a good commentary on the issue in today’s Financial Times.
“Tunisia’s convulsion should also be a message to western backers of the Arab world’s autocratic regimes. Diplomats have never had illusions about Mr Ben Ali’s rule – in fact US envoys have been warning of growing social anger. But the US and Europe have too easily fallen into the trap of believing that the only alternative to autocracy is Islamist movements that are, to be sure, less accommodating to western foreign policy interests.”
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/ffb6ef1a-201a-11e0-a6fb-00144feab49a.html#ixzz1B88wBOS6