Why does the West so often get Tunisia wrong?

Abstract

After the 2011 revolt forced Ben Ali out of power, many Western observers deluded themselves into thinking that Tunisia was successfully building democracy while its Arab neighbours were failing. They had been equally deluded about the quality of the country’s economic management before 2011. It has taken them many years to realise that they have got Tunisia wrong. Western governments have a long tradition of covering up for Arab dictators. The harshness of their criticism of President Kais Said may be the result of their getting this small, open country wrong twice since 2000.