Lobbying 2016: Tunisia looks to US to entrench democracy

Reconnaissance aircrafts and military vehicles offered to Tunisia by the United States are seen at a military base in Tunis on May 12, 2016. The United States delivered military hardware to Tunisia to help the North African country hit by several Islamic State group attacks secure its borders and battle terrorism. The US deputy assistant secretary of defence for African affairs, said the military equipment was part of a $20 million package destined to bolster Tunisia's military capabilities. / AFP / FET
Reconnaissance aircraft and military vehicles offered to Tunisia by the United States are seen at a military base in Tunis on May 12, 2016. The United States delivered military hardware to Tunisia to help the North African country hit by several Islamic State group attacks secure its borders and battle terrorism. - FETHI BELAID/AFP/Getty Images
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Julian Pecquet
@JPecquet_ALM

Five years on, the Arab Spring has long since given way to a bitter season of chaos, radicalism and repression.

Only tiny Tunisia continues to buck the trend. And it’s counting on Congress and the Obama administration’s help to live up to its billing as a role model for the rest of the Middle East.

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