Tunisia: President Zine El Abiding Ben Ali
As of 2013 the United States and Tunisia are considered to be somewhat strong with each other as Tunisia transitions to democracy. One of the biggest priorities the United States has with Tunisia to helping them to secure a democratic environment, institutions, and practices while increasing their economic growth, and stabilizing other areas, such as empowering the youth, creating jobs, and strengthening their civil society.
Since the revolution of Tunisia during the Arab Spring in 2011, the United States had committed more than $350 million to support Tunisia transition. [1] As far as economic relations go, the United States and Tunisia signed agreements to better the country. In 2002 the United States and Tunisia signed a trade and investment framework, and concluded a bilateral investment treaty and an agreement to avoid double taxation. This has been beneficial for Tunisia, since it has increased Tunisia market for food processing, medical are, tourism, aiding the environment, and increasing high-technology. [1] With the United States help, this seemed to had furthered Tunisia economy, yet the United States was a suppporter of President Zine El Albidine Ben Ali. Since the United States was in favor of foreign investment that Ben Ali supported, Ali’s abuses were muted by media from the United States, rarely making major news headlines. [2]
Since the revolution of Tunisia during the Arab Spring in 2011, the United States had committed more than $350 million to support Tunisia transition. [1] As far as economic relations go, the United States and Tunisia signed agreements to better the country. In 2002 the United States and Tunisia signed a trade and investment framework, and concluded a bilateral investment treaty and an agreement to avoid double taxation. This has been beneficial for Tunisia, since it has increased Tunisia market for food processing, medical are, tourism, aiding the environment, and increasing high-technology. [1] With the United States help, this seemed to had furthered Tunisia economy, yet the United States was a suppporter of President Zine El Albidine Ben Ali. Since the United States was in favor of foreign investment that Ben Ali supported, Ali’s abuses were muted by media from the United States, rarely making major news headlines. [2]
Egypt: President Hosni Mubarak and Mohamed Morsis
Unlike what we are about to see with Syria, the America participation with Egypt has been one to undoubtedly mention. With the dismissal of Hosni Mubarak, the United States has been “peaceful” about the release of Mubarak. As it has been noted, the United States and Mubarak have always been ally’s with each other. It was even denied by United States leaders that there was instability, or that Mubarak was doing an indecent job as the President of Egypt. As stated by the Washington post, “U.S. Congress passed a law that would allow the Obama administration to continue sending military aid to Egypt despite its military coup last summer and the massacres and human rights violations that have followed.” [3] Even though the fight continued for freedom and justice for the Egyptian people, the United States continued to passively sit behind the sidelines and support Mubarak. This happened until the evening on February 1st, when it was finally decided that something needed to be done.
The united States, (Barack Obama specifically) contacted Mubarak and encouraged him to step down peacefully and soon. This started the end to the long-time America ally we know as Egypt. Though all the protest and the strong mark Egyptian civilians had made, it was finally brought upon to the United States, that someone creating this must terror and angst could not be such an Ally. Whether the United States removed him for political or selfish reasons is debatable, and can be viewed in either directions when the new president Morsi was put into office shortly after. This may have been submissive and compliant on the united states part, but it shows that with the rioting and protesting the Egyptians had made, it accomplished something.
The united States, (Barack Obama specifically) contacted Mubarak and encouraged him to step down peacefully and soon. This started the end to the long-time America ally we know as Egypt. Though all the protest and the strong mark Egyptian civilians had made, it was finally brought upon to the United States, that someone creating this must terror and angst could not be such an Ally. Whether the United States removed him for political or selfish reasons is debatable, and can be viewed in either directions when the new president Morsi was put into office shortly after. This may have been submissive and compliant on the united states part, but it shows that with the rioting and protesting the Egyptians had made, it accomplished something.
Syria: President Assad and government
After viewing the outcome of Egypt and Tunisia, we were able to see some fortunate events play out. The over throw of their most despised presidents and governments finally came to an end, weather the new government was for better or for worse. The difference that is brought upon Syria, is one that is less fortunate. The nation-state of Syria continues to this day to fight in this civil war. Yet, unlike some of the other countries involved in the Arab spring, the United states has been unwilling to involve itself in the Syrians strive for democracy. The Syrian civil war has undoubtedly been the most brutal revolution during the Arab Spring. So the fact that the United States has been very tolerable, and cautious about this, can be looked at in either direction.
The United States too many militaristic actions when it came to ensuring democracy in these Arab spring participating countries, such as Egypt, Libya, and now Syria. As Egypt and Syria have been in much smaller numbers, they have still been utilized in these countries to demonstrate democracy. It was decided after viewing federal budget, economic analysis, and concurring the relativity and effectiveness of democracy itself in countries such as Syria. So, the united states continues to provide it’s militaristic action upon Syria ranging from what we were seeing in the Arab spring to the outlook of the terrorist group ISIS that has now taken over most of Syria, and post a threat to the United States.
The United States too many militaristic actions when it came to ensuring democracy in these Arab spring participating countries, such as Egypt, Libya, and now Syria. As Egypt and Syria have been in much smaller numbers, they have still been utilized in these countries to demonstrate democracy. It was decided after viewing federal budget, economic analysis, and concurring the relativity and effectiveness of democracy itself in countries such as Syria. So, the united states continues to provide it’s militaristic action upon Syria ranging from what we were seeing in the Arab spring to the outlook of the terrorist group ISIS that has now taken over most of Syria, and post a threat to the United States.
Work Cited
[1] BUREAU OF NEAR EASTERN AFFAIRS. "U.S. Relations With Tunisia." U.S. Department of State. U.S. Department of State, 22 Aug. 2013. Web. 03 Dec. 2014. <http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5439.htm>.
[2] Ahelbarra, Hashem. "Tunisia: The end of an era | Al Jazeera Blogs". Blogs.aljazeera.net. Retrieved 15 January 2011.
[3] Maher, Ahmed. "The U.S. Is Supporting Oppression in Egypt." Washington Post. The Washington Post, 07 Feb. 2014. Web. 03 Dec. 2014. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-us-is-supporting-oppression-in-egypt/2014/02/07/10a4c8fc-8f66-11e3-b227-12a45d109e03_story.html>.