-          This series of posts will take you on a country by country tour of the Middle East, showing how economic and social development occurs in one of the most unstable regions in the world.

Later this month, Tunisia will cap off a year of unrest and political change with the first free and fair election of the Arab Spring, electing a constituent assembly whose job it will be to draft a new constitution. By doing so, the country will set an example for accomplishing change through a systematic approach.

Tunisian Prime Minister Beji Caid Essebsi

Extremely polarizing figure and current interim prime minister, Beji Caid Essebsi, has projected two divergent personalities during his tenure in office. He has been labeled a voice of reason in an often unreasonable government, working to promote democratic ideals. On the contrary, opponents have tagged him as a new Ben Ali who has not followed through on his promise to execute the progressive ideas of the revolution.  These arguments do have credence as there have been instances during his time in office when the actions of civil society were quelled in a Ben Ali-esque manner.  While advocating for the arguments of the revolution to be fulfilled (i.e. job creation and inflation), protests in May were met with armed authoritative response.  However, under his leadership, Tunisians are at a point ahead of other citizens involved with Arab Spring who are anxious for their voice to become law. Essebsi argues against statements that label him as a repeat of the past:

“Sometimes the proponents of freedom have demands that go beyond logic, and it is more difficult to protect freedom from the proponents of freedom themselves than from the enemies.”

Tunisians protest for the goals of the revolution to be realized

The role of civil society to develop progressive ideals in Tunisia is vastly different from pre-January 2011. Before January, freedom was very restricted –journalists’ stories were not their own words, blogs were continually disbanded and/or changed by authorities, and protests were violently dismantled. However, when protests started to become more prominent in December and January, finding a way to express concerns and rally support through social media played a significant role in the success of the Tunisian revolution. However, this freedom of expression aspect that spurred and cemented the revolution in January has come under a great deal of international scrutiny in 2011.

The Index on Censorship has been extremely critical of Tunisia in its handling of the right of expression since the revolution. Although some positive changes are underway. Recently, an imprisoned whistle blower punished for releasing the names of authorities still loyal to the ideals of ousted oppressor Ben Ali was released. Now, his voice can legally be heard.  This is a crucial step to re-instill international and domestic confidence that Tunisia is working towards a fair democracy.

Ultimately, a combination of fair government and a strong civil society will be the key to establishing a truly democratic nation that has the best interest of all citizens at the forefront of policy.

Tunisian state tv has been nominated to receive the Nobel Prize for Illiteracy following its extravagant enrichment to the Tunisian Revolution and to the smooth transition toward democracy.

In fact, the staff of the TV got split into two camps: those who appreciated the nomination and perceived it as an honor for the media professionals in the MENA region, and those who stressed their eligibility for Nobel Prize for Cinema, an award reserved for the dedicated Syrian state TV that produced divine masterpieces such as The Killing Fields , Cry Freedom and Bloodshed.

Some Reliable sources have unveiled that Béji Caïd Essebsi himself will be awarded the Nobel Prize of Cinema for his roles as a temporary Prime minister in the Tunisian government,a former tamer of monkeys in the jungle and above all for his honesty in speech and devotion in work.

The current president is currently in Switzerland starring in a documentary named The Bears out of Hibernation.The movie is about a bear who spends endless days and nights sleeping but awakes in a sunny Spring day to find himself filling the position of the leader. The ferocious lion was docile and went away once he was asked to dégage. As part of his plan of regional development, political pluralism, and more job opportunities, The bear went back to bed.zzzzzzz

While critics along with the elite circles affirm that Zine El Abidine Ben Ali has stunned the massive international community with his widely watched movie ena fhemtkom I Understood You, he is the most qualified to win the prize, unfortunately, the ousted actor opted for resignation in the Land of the Two Holly Mosques (KSA)for spiritual motives.

Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas enters a car on April, 18, 2011 upon arrival at Tunis airport. Abbas arrived in Tunisia at the start of a two-day official visit following an invitation of President Fouad Mbazaa. (Photo by FETHI BELAID/AFP/Getty Images)

Tunisia's Prime Minister Beji Caid Sebsi (R) welcomes Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas upon his arrival in Tunis April 18, 2011. REUTERS/Zoubeir Souissi

Tunisian Prime Minister Beji Caid Essebsi (R) shakes hands with Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas on April, 18, 2011 upon his arrival at Tunis airport. Abbas arrived in Tunisia at the start of a two-day official visit following an invitation of President Fouad Mbazaa. (Photo by FETHI BELAID/AFP/Getty Images)

Click here (SV), here (SV), and here (FR) for articles.

Click here (IT) for article and here and here for statements on the Italian Foreign Ministry web site (IT).

What will likely be most focused on in the world is this:

[He] rejoined the government as Minister Delegate to the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs on 15 April 1981 , he held the position until September 15, 1986 . During these six years, he faces several crises, including the arrival of Palestinian fighters – driven out of Beirut – at Bizerte in 1982 , the bombing of the headquarters of the PLO in Hammam Chott (south of Tunis) by the army Israeli Air ( Operation Wooden Leg ) in 1985 , not to mention the constant mood of Muammar Qaddafi . The high point of his career as head of the diplomacy of Tunisia remains the vote on UN resolution condemning the Israeli aggression against Tunisia

His last appearance in the media, was on Nesma TV, a few days after the flight of Ben Ali on January 14, 2010.

He is referred to as Kingpin Essebsi. If you click on the individual whom he is the great-grandson of (Ismail Caid Essebsi), it seems he comes from family with a level of aristocratic roots in Tunisia. It is unlikely this works for the revolution, but this should be understood: This is a transitional government. The revolution may have to settle for a techno- or aristocrat and then push for elections to be sooner. They may be better off focusing on getting open, free and fair elections and ensuring those elections are held and that the interim PM does not keep power past July.