Could ISIS Allies Destabilize the Tunisian Democratic Transition?
How, and Why? What Could the US Do to Help Tunisian Democrats?
Speaker: Rafik Abdessalem
Moderator and Opening Discussant: Alfred Stepan
Rafik Abdessalem was the Foreign Minister of the post-revolutionary Tunisian government from 2011-2013 when it was lead by the moderate Islamist party, Ennadha. He is now a member of Ennadha’s Executive Committee in charge of External Relations and quite informative about the current coalition between Ennadha and Nidaa Tounes. He is coming to Columbia directly after a visit to Washington where the security crises such as the recent attacks on the Bardo Museum and the Sousse Tourist beaches aimed at destroying the Arab world’s best chance for a democratic success were the major subject.
Alfred Stepan is the Director of the Center for the Study of Democracy, Toleration and Religion and the Wallace Sayre Professor of Government, SIPA and Political Science Emeritus. He has been to Tunisia six times since the Revolution.