Few Americans know anything about Tunisia. A small North African country of 10 million people (half of them under 25!), just started a domino effect that will totally change the face of arab countries. Tunisia was colonized by France in the late 19th century. My grand-father, victim of the long French compulsory dratf at the time, 7 years , found himself in a zouave uniform, in the army that conquered Tunisia. Ever since, Tunisia, even after its independence in the 50's, has been close to France. French remains the official , and even the street language. But the dictatorship of president Ben Ali, following the dictatorship of the founder-president Bourguiba, proved too much for the mass of unemployed educated Tunisian youth.The French, coddled president Ben Ali under the threat of Islamic terrorism: "either me or Al-Qaeda". President Obama, to his credit, had warned the Maghreb dictators that their system had to change. On January 4th, a young Tunisian committed suicide by fire. It triggered riots that toppled the regime. The Pentagon communicated very effectively with the Tunisian armed forces and helped kick Ben Ali out of the country ( He fled with 1 and 1/2 tons of gold and found refuge in Saudi Arabia.
All over the arab world, ruling potentates, in power for ever, must tremble on their throne and know that their days are counted. What Georges W. Bush attempted with his invasion of Iraq , the democratization of muslim countries, might be achieved thanks to the sacrifice of a fruit seller whose death put an end to a tyrant.
