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On Tunisia, Part II

As has already been discussed, I have little of use to add to the conversation on Tunisia. But Shadi Hamid has a lot of smart things to say about democratization in the Arabic-speaking world, and my old friend Issandr el-Amrani is one of the very first people to whom I would turn for thoughts on the politics of North Africa. (I would probably solicit the thoughts of our mutual pal Elijah Zarwan first, actually, since he did some very good work on internet freedom in Tunisia for Human Rights Watch a few years back.) Issandr and Shadi discuss Tunisia here:

Can I just say, though, that Issandr's argument that the United States should try to "not be evil" more or less takes all the fun out of foreign policy?

Tunisia

3 comments

AM- Last time you wrote

AM- Last time you wrote something about Yemen was on November 1, 2010 . In that posting, you said you were far from an expert on Yemen. My question is, what have you done to educate yourself and learn "a little more" about Yemen and the COIN issues there that are causing major National Security and Defense Policy issues for the United States?

If you're not sure what I'm talking about: why don't you have a conversation with our Customs Services at any major Port, FEDEX, UPS and other major cargo / freight shipping companies and ask them what's changed since November? That little situation in November has cost taxpayers tens, if not hundreds of millions of dollars with the increased security measures, delays and loss of productivity for our government and our private sector.

You also said, "we have now dodged two bullets from Yemen, but that does not mean we do not have the time to slow the bleep down and first gather a little situational awareness before screaming for policy makers to DO SOMETHING. As an Afghanistan expert tweeted this weekend, "Whenever something like the Yemen event the amateurs scream for revenge or bombs or ninjas. But people need to take a step back and THINK.""....

Well, it's been two months... What are you, Greg Johnsen, Leah Farrall, Chris Boucek and April Alley recommending we do to assist with the demise of AQAP?

Yeah, it's Tuesday..... after a National Holiday, so sorry in advance if I've disturbed all of you if you are indeed drinking coffee and bleeping the dog.

FYI - Tunisia is a interesting event, but I don't feel it's more of a threat to U.S. National Security than Yemen right now.

Give AM a break........ What

Give AM a break........

What happens in Tunisia, if successful, could have an impact in other muslim countries.

We are seeing a change of ideas. Vistor 10:36, there could be linkage to Yemen.

Correct you are. Always in

Correct you are. Always in motion is the future.

Give him a break, we will.

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