An islamic/secular coexistence in Tunisia? As the results come back from the first Democratic election in Tunisia’s history (and the first such election to arise from the Arab Spring), all signs are pointing to a coalition government. The most successful party in the election, the Islamist Al Nahda party, failed to win an outright majority (they’re projected around 30%), meaning they will likely seek to team up with two other secular parties, which it’s believed would represent about 60% of the vote. This is an intriguing study in partnered government despite very differing ideals, and we’re very hopeful for the people of Tunisia that it bears fruit. source
» Not without some controversy: A notable Islamist figure in the country, Rachid Ghannouchi, was heckled as he came out of the voting booth today. “You are a terrorist and an assassin! Go back to London,” one shouted. Ghannouchi, the leader of the moderate Ennahda party, spent over two decades in Britain, exiled from the country where he was once imprisoned for his political views. He returned earlier this year, and his party is expected to do well today.
Now I am happy that my son’s death has given the chance to get beyond fear and injustice. I’m an optimist, I wish success for my country.Manoubia Bouazizi, mother of notable Tunisian self-immolator Mohamed Bouazizi • Discussing her son’s death and the spark for democracy it provided both in her own country but throughout northern Africa and the Middle East. Tomorrow Tunisia holds its first democratic election after the toppling of Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali ten months ago. (Ben Ali is now in exile in Saudi Arabia.) The Islamist Ennahda party, banned while Ben Ali was in power, is expected to garner the most votes, but not without controversy due to the long-encouraged secular culture in the country. It’ll be interesting to see what happens next. source (via • follow)
![pantslessprogressive:
Downfall of the despots. A Lebanese activist carries a caricature as Lebanese policemen stand guard during a protest in solidarity with anti-government protesters in Syria, Yemen and Bahrain, in front of the Arab league headquarters in Beirut. The caricature depicts (from right to left) Tunisia’s former President Ben Ali, Egypt’s former President Hosni Mubarak, Libya’s former leader Muammar Gaddafi, Yemen’s President Ali Abdullah Saleh and Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad. [Photo: Mohamed Azakir/Reuters]
Fascinating illo. Nice twist on the Time theme.](http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lth32kw50Y1qzr73ro1_500.jpg)
Downfall of the despots. A Lebanese activist carries a caricature as Lebanese policemen stand guard during a protest in solidarity with anti-government protesters in Syria, Yemen and Bahrain, in front of the Arab league headquarters in Beirut. The caricature depicts (from right to left) Tunisia’s former President Ben Ali, Egypt’s former President Hosni Mubarak, Libya’s former leader Muammar Gaddafi, Yemen’s President Ali Abdullah Saleh and Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad. [Photo: Mohamed Azakir/Reuters]
Fascinating illo. Nice twist on the Time theme.
Tripoli needs lots of food. There is nothing there … we’re bringing this to them and then we’ll do more runs as needed.Libyan man Lassad Trabelsi • Regarding the decision to open up the main border between Tunisia and Libya. Trabelsi was one of many people driving trucks through through the crossing in order to get supplies, which has been tough considering, you know, the deadly civil war in the country. And Tunisians are ready to help. “We’re ready to supply whatever our brothers need,” said one supplier who set up near the border. source (via • follow)
Qaddafi with Mubarak and Ben Ali, One Year Ago
Taken less than a year before, the photo captured the ear-to-ear smiles of the leaders of several autocratic regimes. At the center of the photo stood Gaddafi, smiling and resplendent in his golden-brown robes and trademark sunglasses.
To his far left stood then-Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, laughing, and looking for all the world like he was invincible. To his right stood then-Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, with Gaddafi’s elbow jauntily on his soldier.
Via us.
Saleh’s in there too! It’s like the genesis of the Arab Spring, in a single room.
He boarded the plane with his family after ordering the crew to wait for him in Jeddah. But after his arrival in Jeddah, the plane returned to Tunisia, without waiting for him, contrary to his orders. He did not leave his post as president of the republic and hasn’t fled Tunisia as he was falsely accused of doing.A statement by Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali’s lawyers • Claiming he didn’t actually leave Tunisia amid protests as was reported by just about everyone. Instead, he claims he was basically ditched. Seems like a fascinating thing to say … six months after the fact. A Tunisian court is trying Ben Ali in absentia for a series of crimes, including theft and illegal possession of firearms and other things he probably shouldn’t have had. source (via • follow)
He says that in Libya, they saw “imminent massacre” as a likely possibility in the country. And in Syria, he says they must allow for peaceful protesters and human rights monitors.
Has anyone noticed that the common denominator of all the successful Arab street movements is that they are sympathetic to Iran? When the dust settles, Iran is going to own the Middle East - except for maybe Saudi Arabia, if we have the guts to help them (which I very much doubt).
We are going to lose our pals in Bahrain - not nice guys, but pals of the U.S.A. anyway - and we are going to lose our pals in Yemen, and it will possibly have an actual al Qaeda government.
There is a gigantic regional coup by Iran taking place. We are doing very little, if anything, to stop it.
In a single piece, the Clear Eyes pitchman manages to drop an unbelievable number of conspiracy theories. The Muslim Brotherhood was tied to Hilter! Iran is trying to gain control over the entire Middle East! Al-Qaeda is about to take control of Yemen! The “Arab Spring” is a fraud! If you ever watched Ben Stein’s documentary on evolution, where he actually took viewers to Nazi death camps to prove his pro-Creationism point, this column is of no surprise. But let’s be clear — while certain things may not turn in favor of the U.S. and Israel, our boy is trying to scare us and simplify a complicated issue in a divisive way. Also, why is CBS giving this man a paycheck? This is unacceptable.
I can’t add much to what’s already been (and will be) ...
One of the perks of being an early employee...
Over the last 90 days, the Digg...
#FMMDI (at 30 Rockefeller Plaza)
Thanks. I guess my thoughts are as follows:
1. I think...
Two Months Ago I set out to interview the principal cast...
I still do not know what I am going to do. Of course I’d like to see my family.An alleged Libyan rape victim • Revealing to the world that weeks after loudly revealing her brutal plight to a hotel full of journalists, she has left Libya and relocated to Tunisia as a refugee. She escaped, she says, in a military car wearing a head cover that covered everything except one eye. After a “very tiring” trip, she is currently staying at the French embassy in Tunis while she considers her fate. Let’s hope she never has to go back, or if she does, it’s at a time when the culture around her better understands her plight. source (via • follow)
untiemyhands-deactivated2011062 asks: There's obviously a lot that's happened in the Middle East in the last several months. What do you think will happen in the next several months in the area? Do you think things will start to die down, or do you think more countries (like Saudi Arabia, etc) will make the international news?
» We say: It depends. Pretty much the key thing for us — the harbinger that will prove that there are legs to this whole movement — is what happens with the elections in Egypt. If there is a stable transition to democracy, it could set the plot for the rest of the region. We think, though, that if some of these movements lose their energy over time — especially in areas like Syria and Yemen — eventually the fire might start to die. Remember, we’re a few months out from the early unrest in Tunisia, and that sort of distance might start to weaken resolves. Also: At this point, Libya is a completely different deck of cards and we need to consider it in a different context.
Libyan rebels claim Tunisian border post: The deputy leader of the rebel forces that seized this strategic piece of land, giving his name as Youssef, said they had killed about ten pro-Gaddafi soldiers in the process, and injured twenty-five. Their ability to hold this post is key, as open access to Tunisia allows more freedom of movement (Tunisia is likely now concerned about being able to support the increased influx of refugees, which should have a much easier time migrating), and gives them a new avenue to receive medical supplies. source
Three Little Pigs you might dislike: Angry Birds is the motif of this animation describing the uprising in the Middle East. Easily the best take on the classic storyline since Green Jellÿ. Be sure not to miss the North Korea reference at the end. (via ProducerMatthew) source
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