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The people of Tunisia responded to the attack on the museum with an anti-terrorism march. The people walked around the streets chanting "'Tunisia is free! Terrorism out!'". Political leaders supported the people on this one. Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi said, "' The Tunisian people proved today that they do not bow to terrorism, and that as one man and one woman, they defend the nation. When Tunisia is targeted, the whole nation stands as one'". The march was to show that they are democratic people, Tunisians are moderate and there is no room for terrorists here. Some leftist political groups chose to boycott the rally because they feel it is a participation of an Islamist party and they are the ones accountable for the rise of Islamic extremism in the country.

Following an attack on a museum in Tunisia, they plan to open a consulate in Syria and plan to renew their ties with the Syrian government. They state that this is so that they can track Tunisian militant fighters who have joined ISIS and to prevent them form any future attacks. 

The attack took place near Mount Chaambi, a national park on the Algerian border. The attack comes as Tunisian forces on the Libyan border are on high alert in the wake of the murder of 21 Egyptian Christians in Libya by another radical Islamic group. They are aware of Egyptians fleeing Libya. Tunisians have been under attack by Islamic militants ever since the overthrow of their dictator in 2011.

Prime Minister Habib Essid of Tunisian promised to stimulate growth. Tunisians are worried about other issues; public spending, including cutting subsidies on basic foods and fuel. Jobs, high living costs, and economic opportunities. The government sees economic growth increasing to 3 percent in 2015 from an estimated 2.5 percent in 2014.

Tunisian security forces have arrested about 100 jihadist and foiled terrorist operations. They uncovered a militant cell in the city of Hammam Ghzaz that was preparing explosives to use in attacks on security buildings. There has been talk that the jihadist group is seeking to expand its terrorist activities into North Africa. The number of Tunisians fighting in Syria has been estimated at about 3,000.

Tunisian fighters with the Islamic State have claimed responsibility in a video for the assassinations of the left wing politicians Chokri Belaid and Mohmaed Brahmi last year and have threatened to carry out more assassinations. They want Tunisians to rise up and expand the Islamic State (ISIS).

In 2011 Tunisia experienced two quarters of decline in GDP. The size of the Tunisian economy decreased. Before 2011 the average growth of the Tunisian economy was between 4% to 5% per year. Immediate initiatives need to take place. An example of one would be banning strikes until the end of 2011, that would help reassure companies that are the main source of wealth and jobs creation.

The Council on Foreign Relations published an article about democratization in the middle east and the major obstacles that are present in the process. While most assume Islamists and Islamic embedded institutions are the root of the delayed democratic transition, the problems are much bigger than that. While Islamist regimes do indeed stunt the growth of democratic progress in terms of creating a stable government, Arab countries struggle with economic and social factors as well. The Arab Spring Revolutions have caused economic and social degradation across the region, resulting in a road block of political leadership. Without a reliable and capable government structure, the states are unable to progress economically. However, in order to have a stable government, social and economic institutions must be in place to create this capitalist economy that they strive for. Because most wealth resides in oil, the revenue that the states bring in isn't distributed properly throughout society and is concentrated within few business elites. The article stresses that instead of foreign aid going into the hands of an unstable leader or regime, it should be invested in institutions in order to spur economic growth and eliminate corruption. Rather than focusing on the Islamist-secularist divide, the world should be working towards the strengthening of institutions to create a stable foundation for governance. 

Tunisian troops captured a large arms cache near the border of Libya, that had rifles, rockets, and landmines. Tunisia is waging a campaign against hardline Islamist groups who emerged after their dictator stepped down. Tunisia is worried that the violence will spill over from neighboring Libya, where the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria has expanded.

The Tunisian Prime Minister has promised a lot of economic growth and progress for the country.

The Tunisian revolution is still ongoing, as unemployment rate hit 15% and stark wealth disparities countrywide. The country has taken a critical hit to its tourism revenues and foreign investment with recent terror attacks. The government is promising to boost economic growth in some areas.

This article discusses the role of 'cyberactivism' or the role played by new media in paving the way for political transformation, in both the Tunisian and Egyptian revolutions of 2011.

A group of 5 men, aged 21-24, were arrested recently for taking a boat full of 200 people and trying to illegally smuggle them across waters. If anyone tried to escape the tightly packed boat, one of the five men would beat them with sticks and knives and forced them back inside.

An American woman who was also a former member of the US military was arrested in April and officially charged in July with conspiring to aid members of ISIS. She was arrested when trying to board a plane to Syria where she was planning to meet a Tunisian man and aid the groups in attacks. This story also cites another woman who was arrested on similar charges, it is one of many examples of Americans going abroad to join Isis.

From Dec. 3, 2011, as the Tunisian revolution is unfolding. I notice the comparative growth numbers: Libya is exploding at more than 10 percent annual growth (twice the rate of the US), while the band of central African nations see economic growth rates that are no doubt smaller than their population growth rates.

History of the Muslim Brotherhood is included in this article with regards to the islamists and Jihadists. According to the article "Jihadists loathe the Muslim brotherhood for rejecting global jihad and embracing democracy."  The article mentions members of the Brotherhood in "Egypt, France, Jordan Syria, Tunisian, and the United Kingdom."

As I read the chapter, I really enjoyed learning about Mohammed Bouazizi. So I did some research and I stumbled upon this. Hope you enjoy!

Author: alhayat Posted October 20, 2012 "The Tunisian university is at a tipping point." That is how Yousra al-Jabali, a sociology student at the April 9 College of Arts and Humanities, summarized the situation at her academic institution after last week's violent clashes.

Southern Tunisia lives largely off illegal cross-border trade. A strike has been staged following deadly clashes between police and demonstrators after the seizure of contraband fuel. Unions are demanding job creation schemes, the lifting of an export tax imposed on goods imposed in October. It is estimated that about 328,000 tonnes of contraband products pass through Ras Jedir annually. Smuggling was costing the Tunisian exchequer at least $675m a year.

Tunisian military appeals court jailed blogger Yassine Ayari for 6 months for defaming the army. He was prosecuted over blogs he had written alleging financial abuses by army officers and defence ministry officials in a case. Ayari has alleged that he is being punished for blogs he wrote while out of the country. His family and supporters charge that his prosecution is a violation of newfound freedom of expression, which was one of the main gains of the revolution.