The Tunisian Revolt

There has been a great deal of change in the Middle East since the attacks of September 11, 2001.  Libya gave up its weapons of mass destruction voluntarily, Iraq is now a democracy that has seen the US come and go, Iran is close to having a nuclear weapon, Yemen is the new hotbed of Al Qaida training and planning, Lebanon has seen violence with Israel and Hezbollah fighting it out, Syria had its nuclear facility destroyed and funnelled money and arms to Iraqi terrorists from 2003 to 2008.

Now, a popular revolt in Tunisia has overthrown the government led by strongman Zine El Abidine Ben Ali for 23 years.

So what does this mean for the region?  Will further popular revolts be seen in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Libya or Morocco?  Will such unrest be fueled by a thirst for Sharia law and Islamic fundamentalism, or of liberal democracy and human rights?

Certainly, the Islamists will attempt to exploit any instability to strengthen their position.  However, the west also has the opportunity to promote democracy and provide support to parties and leaders that are secular, committed to the rule of law and human rights.  Such is a tall order in the Islamic world, but it has worked thus far in Iraq.

Daniel Pipes writes in the National Post:

"As Washington sorts out options, I urge the administration to adopt two policies. First, renew the push for democratization initiated by George W. Bush in 2003, but this time with due caution, intelligence, and modesty, recognizing that his flawed implementation inadvertently facilitated the Islamists to acquire more power. Second, focus on Islamism as the civilized world’s greatest enemy and stand with our allies, including those in Tunisia, to fight this blight."

An opportunity has presented itself.  Let's hope that the forces of freedom seize upon it.  If they don't, the radicals will.