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Saied Grab of Power Between Popular Sovereignty and Constitutional Legitimacy: A Déjà-vu Tunisian Legitimization Dilemma

09.5.21

In the judicial construction of contracts, ambiguities are construed against the drafter based on the canon of “Ambiguitas contra stipulatorem est.” On July 25th, 2021, the Tunisian president Kais Saied imported this technique to constitutional law by dismissing the Prime Minister (PM) and suspending the parliament chaired by “Rachid AL Ghannouchi,” the head of Ennahda […]

#EnaZeda: A Women’s Revolution of our Bodies for our Bodies

11.18.19

The 2011 Tunisian revolution that ousted a dictator and security state rule, did not only change the country’s political system, but it impacted all aspects of Tunisian life, especially for women. The most recent national election, in October 2019, brought a new independent President to power. Met with celebration, Tunisians appeared eager to start a […]

Podcast: EU works to maintain trade with Iran, Qatar’s Emir visits Lebanon, Tunisia gets a new party

02.1.19

This week, European Union diplomats and Iranian representatives adopt a new mechanism to maintain trade as Iran works to comply with the nuclear deal in the face of US sanctions. Qatar’s Emir travels to Lebanon for a financial conference, pledging funds for the country’s economy and appearing to step into the Lebanese political arena. And in Tunis, Youssef Chahed leads Tahya Tounes, a party breaking from the ruling Nidaa Tounes over economic policy and political infighting.

Development and Economic Growth

The IMF and economic injustice in Tunisia

03.9.18

When Tunisians took to the streets in protest in early January, the target of popular anger seemed clear: the democratically-elected Tunisian government, which had voted in December to pass the controversial 2018 Finance Law that went into effect on January 1. Most saliently, the public was becoming increasingly aware that the Finance Law was not crafted solely by Tunisia’s elected representatives – the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which has loaned Tunisia massive sums of money since 2011, contributed heavily to the legislation.

Interview with Hicham Alaoui: Trends in North African Politics

12.4.17

Hicham Alaoui, Visiting Fellow at Harvard’s Weatherhead Center for International Affairs and D.Phil. Candidate at Oxford University, sat down with JMEPP Lead Editor Anna Boots to discuss current trends in North African politics, including Tunisia’s nascent democracy, North Africa’s unique position in the Middle East region, and ongoing protests in Morocco’s Rif.

Politics
Tunisia's leaders sign the new constitution in 2014

Tunisia’s long history of constitutionalism

11.6.17

Tunisia celebrates 160 years of constitutionalism.

Tunisia protests

Tunisia: “Unemployment has killed me”

05.15.17

Youth unemployment is a major driver of radicalization in Tunisia, which supplies more fighters to Syria and Iraq than any other country.

Poverty, Inequality and Opportunity
Moncef Marzouki interview

Interview: Former Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki

04.28.17

Former Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki spoke about human rights, Tunisian democracy, and US support for Middle East dictatorships.

Human Rights
Tunisia flags

Tunisia’s long path to democracy

01.17.17

Six years ago, Tunisians succeeded in changing the course of history – but low trust and political participation could thwart its democratic transition.

Democracy and Governance
Algeria Morocco border

Smuggling and security on North Africa’s broken borders

12.23.16

North Africa’s troubled borders are havens for smuggling and armed groups. Here’s what can be done to make them more secure.

International Relations and Security
Pro-Morsi protesters

Event Review: Is Islamism a threat to democracy?

11.21.16

An unfortunate characteristic of the discourse on Islamism is the muddling of definitions, terminology, historical references, and political positions. It is not uncommon to find criticisms of contemporary Islamist parties rooted in criticisms of premodern Islamic ideas. Even the basic definition of political Islam and “Islamism” is unclear, with no consensus as to what the […]

Democracy and Governance
Tunisian security forces

Watching the watchmen: A long way to go for security-sector reform in the Arab world

11.4.16

Embed from Getty Images Police brutality and the impunity of the security forces, though far from the only cause, were a major catalyst of the Arab Spring uprisings of 2010-11. In Sidi Bouzid, Tunisia, Mohamed Bouazizi’s humiliating encounters with local police led him to light himself on fire. In Alexandria, Egypt, Khaled Mohamed Said was […]

International Relations and Security

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