US Opinion and Commentary

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Fight ISIS with Democracy

Posted February 3rd, 2016 at 2:14 pm (UTC-5)
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ISIS superimposes its global ideological narrative onto local contexts, presenting itself as the solution to local grievances. An effective response therefore must involve addressing these local problems, which are significantly different in Iraq than in Libya, and in Egypt than in Yemen.

The Unsexy Truth About Why the Arab Spring Failed

Posted January 28th, 2016 at 10:01 am (UTC-5)
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The truth is that … the real story of the Arab Spring wasn’t one about individual people being heroic or wicked. Rather, it was a less cinematic — but far more important — story about the dangers of brittle dictatorships and weak state institutions.

Support Tunisia, the Arab Spring’s Sole Success Story

Posted November 19th, 2015 at 2:53 pm (UTC-5)
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At a dangerous and unstable time for North Africa and the Middle East, we should not squander any chance to reinforce the foundations of a fledgling democracy that needs support to sustain itself and grow. U.S. aid allows Tunisia to continue to provide greater security for its people…

From Tunisia, a Voice of Hope in the Muslim World

Posted October 30th, 2015 at 9:16 am (UTC-5)
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“The only way to truly defeat ISIS is to offer a better product to the millions of young Muslims in the world. We do: Muslim democracy,” he said. “Young people don’t like ISIS — see how many millions flee from it — but they won’t accept life under tyrants either.”

Tunisia’s Democratic Road Map

Posted May 11th, 2015 at 12:15 pm (UTC-5)
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The Arab world’s newest democracy isn’t expecting a Marshall Plan. But its attempt to lay out a path for Arab pluralism ought to be a U.S. strategic priority.