• This is a political forum that is non-biased/non-partisan and treats every person's position on topics equally. This debate forum is not aligned to any political party. In today's politics, many ideas are split between and even within all the political parties. Often we find ourselves agreeing on one platform but some topics break our mold. We are here to discuss them in a civil political debate. If this is your first visit to our political forums, be sure to check out the RULES. Registering for debate politics is necessary before posting. Register today to participate - it's free!

Behind Tunisia Unrest, Rage Over Wealth of Ruling Family

Re: Tunisian Rioters Overwhelm Police Near Capital


Food prices are increasing due to global warming effects (weird catastrophic weather) and a growing population. Problem is, in places like "poor areas" of China, Tunisia, most of Africa, and similar areas, buying food takes 1/3 or much more of the monthly budget so any increase would be catastrophic.

When cooking oil goes up 100% in a matter of weeks, as it did in Tunisia, then you know you are in trouble. Milk in certain areas of China is more expensive than in the US (or so I have heard).. only positive thing is that most Asians are lactose intolerant heh.
 
Re: Tunisian Rioters Overwhelm Police Near Capital

PeteEU said:
....The next year will be critical, and I hope to god the US and the west does not get involved too much since that can have a negative backlash since it was those countries that backed the dictator in the first place.
Click to expand...

There's no reason for the US to get involved in the internal affairs of Tunisia. Whatever happens there is exclusively their business to resolve, and not America's business.
 
Re: Tunisian Rioters Overwhelm Police Near Capital


That's my concern as well. I really hope the Islamists don't take over.
 
Re: Tunisian Rioters Overwhelm Police Near Capital


Here in Taiwan, milk IS more expensive than in the U.S., and consumption of it per capita is higher than in China. Young people here generally are NOT lactose intolerant, but it isn't a staple like it is in many Western societies...

Food prices going up is partly due to climatic issues as well as the increase in the price of fuel used to produce and transport food products...

For most in affluent societies like Europe, the U.S. and Canada, as well as Japan, Korea, Taiwan, it will be an inconvenience ... though one that could put strain on some governments, but for less affluent societies, like Tunisia, there could indeed be problems... as there were in 2008...
 
Re: Tunisian Rioters Overwhelm Police Near Capital


Tunisia is the last country in Africa/ME that will collapse to Islamists.
People forget this is a highly educated, secular youth driven country. It has very small (if any) element of Islamists.
Egypt ... sure. Although I do also hope Egypt's leader gets overthrown, the extremists element is a threat there. I do not think Egypt helped matters by its suppression of the brotherhood, it fed them fire to grow

US and the West ... but especially US indeed has to back off and if anything give a few encouraging words here and there but not give any would-be dictator ammunition.

When the elections happens in 60 days and if it occurs successfully. This will give many in the Arab world in similar and worse positions hope. A example. A democracy in the Muslim/Arab world through the people and not by the end of a gun. I have hope for Tunisia and its future :2wave:
 
Last edited:
It's unclear to me who will get control.
One hopes it will be the net-connected young and their more modern ideas.
But the Military and other possibilities still loom.

If needed... The UN does have troops in Africa/North Africa already

Reporting On scene:
Wedeman: Tunisia's military putting boot on 'Jasmine Revolution' - CNN.com
By Ben Wedeman, CNN Senior International Correspondent
January 15, 2011
Updated 1817 GMT

 
Last edited:
I don't think Tunisia will turn into another Iran or worse. We are talking about possibly the most secular country in the Arab world. Tunisian people are Western-friendly, they have a good education, their average income is higher than that of their neighbours, and there is still a sizeable Jewish population living peacefully in Tunisia. I thus believe it is very wrong to fear this democratic uprising, as it can be seen as some sort of nostalgia for the ruthless ancient regime. And, no, no dictator would be preferable to a democratic regime: a lack of freedom could make moderate people become extremist.

This is big news in France, first because there are a lot of people from Tunisia living here, and last because France is Tunisia's biggest economic partner. The latter is why the French government is relatively quiet about this, a bit of a shame if you ask me. Our new Foreign Affairs minister (some right-wing freak) first asked the gov to send policemen (code-word for storm-troopers) to help the now ex-President of Tunisia clamp down on protesters... she is now in silent mode.

I for one am very happy for the brave Tunisian people, but it must be very difficult for them right now. Rumours have it that Ben Ali released his men into the streets to create mayhem, in hopes it will discredit the protests. It seems that the military is on the people's side though, which is a good thing.
 
Last edited:
Re: Tunisian Rioters Overwhelm Police Near Capital

Zyroh said:
you know the same food price increases they're seeing over there, we're seeing here. …
Click to expand...



I think your point is very timely. The reality is that the whole world is seeing food price inflation and it represents a considerable concern to the powers that be, especially within the more ‘brittle’ governments.


 
Last edited:
Re: Tunisian Rioters Overwhelm Police Near Capital

The government in Tunisia has been overthrown a second time in 24 hours. Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi has stepped down as well. The acting president according to the Constitution is now the speaker of Parliament, Fouad Mebazaa, although it's anyone's guess at this point if he actually wields any power or if the protests will force him out too.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/16/world/africa/16tunis.html
 
Last edited:
Re: Tunisian Rioters Overwhelm Police Near Capital

Laila said:
Tunisia is the last country in Africa/ME that will collapse to Islamists.
Click to expand...

Where there is a power vacum anything can happen.

People forget this is a highly educated, secular youth driven country. It has very small (if any) element of Islamists.
Click to expand...

So was Iran under the Shah and Iraq under Saddam. In fact before the Shah fell, Iran was the most educated and advanced country in the Middle East at the time. Women could vote, drive and had equal rights and so on. Same for Iraq somewhat before the 1991 war.

Egypt ... sure. Although I do also hope Egypt's leader gets overthrown, the extremists element is a threat there. I do not think Egypt helped matters by its suppression of the brotherhood, it fed them fire to grow
Click to expand...

The brotherhood started there and killed Sadat. Dont think Egypt could have done less to be honest. As for Egypt doing that is happening in Tunisia.. it would be catastrophic for the region.

US and the West ... but especially US indeed has to back off and if anything give a few encouraging words here and there but not give any would-be dictator ammunition.
Click to expand...

Why do I suspect that is wishful thinking?


Ditto, but based on historical fact then I am not optimistic. The people of Tunisia would not know democracy if it kicked them in the groin.
 
Re: Tunisian Rioters Overwhelm Police Near Capital

The head of Ben Ali's presidential security has been arrested by police, according to al-Jazeera (via the Twittersphere).
 
Re: Tunisian Rioters Overwhelm Police Near Capital

Laila said:
Egypt ... sure. Although I do also hope Egypt's leader gets overthrown, the extremists element is a threat there. I do not think Egypt helped matters by its suppression of the brotherhood, it fed them fire to grow.
Click to expand...

Egypt Stocks Drop Most in Six Weeks on Concern Tunisia Unrest May Spread - Bloomberg

is anyone following last week's happenings in lebanon, on the brink?

My Way News - Government fall plunges Lebanon into uncertainty

what's hillary's position over at foggy bottom regarding these significant geopolitical events, does she even have one?

her hi profile palestinian peace talks in september went kerplop

Israeli and Palestinian peace talks in jeopardy, as Israel nears end of settlement moratorium

Palestinian leaders: No peace talks without broad settlement freeze - CNN

Israel eyes huge east Jerusalem settlement project - Yahoo! News

aside its ESCALATION of afghanistan and his one sided start treaty, obama's state dept has effectively no foreign policy

oh well, back to the drawing board

White House seeks new ideas about Mideast peace - Laura Rozen - POLITICO.com
 
Re: Tunisian Rioters Overwhelm Police Near Capital

Just some of the results from the police attacking protesters.

 
Re: Tunisian Rioters Overwhelm Police Near Capital


The bad thing about Lebanon. Its that Hezbollah is winning the people's hearts and minds. The US views Hezbollah as a terrorist organization. So if the current Lebanonese government falls, Hezbollah is going to win. And that will be the majority of the people for Hezbollah which will embarass the US.
 

This was one of the least likely of African regimes to fall, and it took a vegtable salesman without a permit to spark the flame.

It was unexpected, like 911, like the Beruit bombings, like anything unexpected... the unexpected will always be unexpected.

Now we hear the people speaking about the possible spread of this virus of democracy in the ME. Quite interesting, as I recall some during Gulf War II stating the people in the ME may not be disposed to democracy.

Once again, Bush was right and correct to state repeatedly that people all over the world having a thirst for freedom and the freedoms democracy bring.

.
 
Last edited:

All it shows zimmer is that Islamic countries can gain and should gain freedom WITHOUT the need of invasion from external forces. Which is what people like me have argued all along, you cannot force it. Tunisia has done more in a week and with less than 200 lives lost than what America has done in 5 years in Iraq with hundreds of thousands of more lives lost and countless ruined.

A lesson should be learnt here.

I hope Tunisia all that they desire.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn more…