Tunisian Prime Minister Habib Essid spoke at the EastWest Institute’s New York center in an off-the-record conversation on “Security Challenges Facing Tunisia and the Region,” on September 29. The participants included experts in International, Middle Eastern and North African affairs, including EWI CEO Cameron Munter and Distinguished Fellow Mustapha Tlili.

Tunisia stands out as a beacon of hope in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, owing to its successful transition from a repressive dictatorship to a liberal democracy. However, it is still confronted with a number of challenges. The discussion highlighted the need for security, social stability and investment as the biggest concerns facing the nation. Efforts to reconcile the needs of the traditional and younger mindsets were also discussed. The talk concluded with the participants recognizing that although the situation facing Tunisia is not an easy one, its strong will and resilience will play a significant role in addressing these challenges.