Tunisia Museum Attack Is Blow to Democratic Shift

In the wake of the Arab Spring protests, Tunisia became a success story by developing a democratic government and economy that serve citizens. “Gunmen in military uniforms killed 19 people on Wednesday in a midday attack on a museum in downtown Tunis, dealing a new blow to the tourist industry that is vital to Tunisia as it struggles to consolidate the only transition to democracy after the Arab Spring revolts,” reports David D. Kirkpatrick for the New York Times. Most of the victims were foreign tourists. The Islamic State took credit for the attack on the National Bardo Museum. While no evidence yet ties the group to the attack, governments in the region and beyond ready themselves for surprise attacks on any soft target. “Democracy has provided new freedom of speech for the group’s recruiters, and it is easy to find young Tunisians captivated by promises of justice and opportunity as they struggle under the weight of an economy suffering from years of tumult and an abusive police force left over from the old authoritarian system.” Observers suggest that the Tunisian government could take an authoritarian turn to provide security and protect the economy. – YaleGlobal