WikiLeaks' First Scalp -- Tunisia

[DinoDoc]

Any thoughts on Egypt and KSA for us Obama?

He couldn't even be arsed to saying anything in support of the Iranian protests as a result of the fraudulent election there. I wouldn't hold my breath about those two.

[notyoueither]

I've been struck by the importance American diplomats put on human rights as seen in many of the cables. Maybe just a lot of idealists at State, but encouraging nonetheless.

America

[Kuciwalker]

Exactly. It's all fine to say "yeah, well done" after your client gets run out of the country but it would take an act of true moral courage to say it before. The "say one thing and do another" approach is a serious problem in the ME and incites some of the hatred the US is ostensibly trying to suppress.

Bull****. No one actually cares about American presidents engaging in the same diplomatic doublespeak that all leaders in all times have used.

[Wezil]

It's hard to understand the other end of the power dynamic when you are the one with the power.

[MOBIUS]

Wikileaks

USA

The govt of Tunisia has been in power for so long because of the west, namely the US supporting this dictator because of his supposed abilities in keeping Islamic extremism in check - despite the fact that he's a total c*nt to his people...

Also, wikileaks is only a contributor to what has happened - this would have probably happened anyway without wikileaks.

Also, if Tunisia could do this, Egypt could easily follow suit. I spent a month there several years ago and was shocked at the appalling conditions that the average Egyptian has to live under. Tunisia is better off economically and has far less of the problems that blight Egypt.

[Wezil]

Also, if Tunisia could do this, Egypt could easily follow suit. I spent a month there several years ago and was shocked at the appalling conditions that the average Egyptian has to live under. Tunisia is better off economically and has far less of the problems that blight Egypt.

Analysis I've been seeing is pointing to this as one of the reasons it is unlikely to happen anytime soon in Egypt. Tunisians had access to tech (internet, cell phones) at a level that just isn't available in Egypt and it was this tech that was instrumental in galvanizing opposition to the regime.

[Perfection]

How is this good for the USA?

[DanS]

I think it's in the long term interest of the United States for countries to be governed by the consent of the governed. Inasmuch as this revolution leads to a better alignment of the government with the governed, I am for it.

[DanS]

Analysis I've been seeing is pointing to this as one of the reasons it is unlikely to happen anytime soon in Egypt. Tunisians had access to tech (internet, cell phones) at a level that just isn't available in Egypt and it was this tech that was instrumental in galvanizing opposition to the regime.

This may be true, but you might be surprised. From what I have seen, Facebook is used widely throughout the Arab world and cell phones are ubiquitous.

[Wezil]

Perhaps. The changing face of information tech is causing grief to many authoritarian regimes.

[BeBMan]

Only to the dumb ones. The smarter authoritarian regimes use it to control their people even more.

[Perfection]

Only to the dumb ones. The smarter authoritarian regimes use it to control their people even more.

example?

[Dinner]

It's always nice to see a dictator go. Too bad he'll be replaced with a carbon copy of himself.

[Berzerker]

we might have just lost a destination for rendition

The riots started after an educated but jobless 26-year-old committed suicide in mid-December when police confiscated the fruits and vegetables he was selling without a permit. His desperate act hit a nerve, sparked copycat suicides and focused generalized anger against the regime into a widespread, outright revolt.

how ironic, they're under a dictatorship and our govt does the same thing to people here

I think, do y'all in the civilized parts of the USA need permits to sell fruits and veggies?

[BeBMan]

example?

Saudi Arabia, China