New American Policy: “If We Lose Against the Big Powers (Russia, China), We Will Target the Small Sovereign States
The Safeguarding #Tunisian #Democracy Act, introduced in 2023 by #Senators Jim #Risch ( #Republican) and Bob #Menendez ( #Democrat), conditions part of #U.S. aid to #Tunisia on concrete #democratic progress. It allocates an annual fund of $100 million for 2024 and 2025, intended to support Tunisian institutions, but to be released only if genuine progress is certified by the U.S. Secretary of State. In addition, 25% of the usual #American aid is withheld as long as the state of emergency declared in 2021 remains in place. Since 2022, no significant disbursements have been made, according to the U.S. administration.
Historically, this aid was meant to combat #terrorism and stimulate the Tunisian #economy for the benefit of its citizens, not to sustain a #political regime. Today, however, the application of sanctions reflects a U.S. intent to punish Tunisians for their #democratic choices, undermining vital security cooperation in an unstable region. At the same time, the United States seeks to reduce its economic dependencies, as shown by a 25% tariff imposed in 2025 on Tunisian imports. The broader aim of American aid is also to reduce, cap, and ration its disbursement.
Behind this legislation lie American strategic interests, particularly within the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, seeking to maintain and expand U.S. influence in North #Africa and the Middle East. Senator Risch, a strong proponent of interventionist foreign policy, views the conditional promotion of democracy as a tool to counter competition from #Russia and #China.
Although officially presented as support for democracy, this initiative is widely perceived as political pressure, designed to exert indirect control over Tunisia, especially since President Kaïs Saïed’s power grab in 2021. In practice, these senators act as spokesmen for a broader strategic policy of control under the guise of democratic support.
28 février 2019
Fujifilm X-T2 + 56mm
ISO 200, ƒ/2, 1/2900 s
