Does US have right tools to help success story like Tunisia?

Julian Pecquet

May 24, 2015

Tunisia's President Beji Caid Essebsi (C) walks toward journalists and members of his staff after talking to reporters following his meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington May 21, 2015. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst - RTX1E06N — Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi (C) walks toward journalists and members of his staff after talking to reporters following his meeting with US President Barack Obama in the Oval Office at the White House, in Washington, May 21, 2015. — REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

عربي

Tunisia is doing everything right in Washington’s eyes, and that’s got US policymakers stumped.

Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi’s visit during the last week laid bare the limitations of a Middle East policy that has long favored military assistance and anti-terrorism. Instead, the Arab Spring’s only success story is asking for help creating jobs and tackling poverty, forcing the United States to once again rethink its approach to the region.