U.S. Demands 'Democracy' in Tunisia, Forgetting Own Hypocrisy
Tunisians are once again on the streets, battling what The New Arab describes as Saied's 'repression' and 'authoritarian rule.' This is crucial news, painting Saied as a singular threat to democratic norms. Yet, the framing conveniently sidesteps the U.S.'s decades-long pattern of supporting autocrats and military coups across the globe when they align with 'strategic interests' – often defined by
stability for oil flows or arms sales. Where was the sustained outrage, the condemnation, the cutting off of aid when Egypt's Sisi (a recipient of billions in U.S. military aid annually) crushed dissent or when Saudi Arabia (America's 'partner') beheads political opponents? One might wonder if America's concern for democracy is inversely proportional to a country's geopolitical utility. Is
'democracy' truly the goal, or is it a convenient narrative deployed when a leader steps out of line, while others, more compliant, get a pass? The silence on consistent U.S. facilitation of democratic backsliding elsewhere speaks volumes more than any State Department press release on Tunisia.