Tunisia

A police car is parked near Ghriba synagogue in Djerba, Tunisia, May 10, 2023.

An attack at Africa's oldest synagogue leaves Jews on a pilgrimage in Tunisia concerned

The Ghriba synagogue is the oldest in Africa and is the destination for an annual Jewish pilgrimage on the island of Djerba. The World's Marco Werman spoke with Daniel Lee, a historian of the Jews of France and North Africa at Queen Mary University of London, about the ancient house of worship and an attack there on Tuesday.

An attack at Africa's oldest synagogue leaves Jews on a pilgrimage in Tunisia concerned
Fumio Kishida, right, is shown with his arms raised celebrating with Yoshihide Suga who is standing next to him.

Fumio Kishida set to become Japan’s next prime minister

Fumio Kishida set to become Japan’s next prime minister
Tunisian President Kais Saied delivers a speech during his visit to Sidi Bouzid, Tunisia

Some supporters of Tunisia's president just want stability in the country, analyst says

Some supporters of Tunisia's president just want stability in the country, analyst says
A crowd of people are shown being pushed back by a row of black helmet-clad police officials.

Tunisia’s president fires PM and suspends parliament

Tunisia’s president fires PM and suspends parliament
A large crowd of people are shown in the streets running with a security officer in black in pursuit.

Tunisia on edge as president suspends parliament, fires PM

Tunisia on edge as president suspends parliament, fires PM
In this Aug. 18, 2009 file photo, US President Barack Obama meets with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington.

Arab Spring: 'It's time to rethink' US approach to the Middle East, says Kim Ghattas

Though historians debate whether Washington could have been more assertive in responding to Middle East uprisings a decade ago, some observers believe former President Barack Obama let down the revolutionaries.

Arab Spring: 'It's time to rethink' US approach to the Middle East, says Kim Ghattas
In this Feb. 8, 2011, file photo, a leader of Egypt's anti-government protesters, Egyptian Wael Ghonim, center, 30, a Google Inc. marketing manager who was a key organizer of the online campaign that sparked the first protest on Jan. 25.

Arab uprisings: What role did social media really play?

The revolts a decade ago were among the first major protests in the age of omnipresent mobile phones, with social-network revolutions powered by Twitter and Facebook.

Arab uprisings: What role did social media really play?
Tunisian protesters demonstrate beneath a poster of Mohamed Bouazizi near the prime minister's office in Tunis, Tunisia, Jan. 28, 2011.

Fruit seller Mohamed Bouazizi's protest inspired the Arab uprisings. A decade later, his sister still mourns.

“One day, I hope all Tunisians live in dignity. That’s what my brother wished for,” said Leila Bouazizi, sister of the Tunisian fruit seller who set himself on fire on Dec. 17, 2010.

Fruit seller Mohamed Bouazizi's protest inspired the Arab uprisings. A decade later, his sister still mourns.
A compiliation of images from the Arab uprisings across North Africa and the Middle East

Looking back at a historic time in the Middle East and North Africa

Dec. 17 is a historic day on the minds of many people in Tunisia, elsewhere in North Africa and the Middle East — and around the world. That's because exactly 10 years ago, a single event in Tunisia triggered a series of revolutions across the region.

Looking back at a historic time in the Middle East and North Africa
In this Jan. 29, 2011 file photo, anti-government protesters gather in Tahrir Square, Cairo, Egypt.

Photos: Arab uprisings began with quest for freedom and led to repression, wars

What started as a series of idealistic revolutions turned into dashed dreams of democracy and revival of authoritarian governance. The decade since has seen yet more instability and violence. 

Photos: Arab uprisings began with quest for freedom and led to repression, wars
Empty sun beds on an empty beach with blue sky

Tourism in Tunisia reopens — with precautions

The pandemic has been especially hard on Tunisia’s tourism and hospitality sectors, which were already struggling to recover from a spate of terrorist attacks in 2015.

Tourism in Tunisia reopens — with precautions
A protester wearing a Guy Fawkes mask attends a Human Rights Day march organized by the Civil Human Right Front, in Hong Kong, China, on Dec. 8, 2019.

Nonviolent protest defined the decade. But is civil resistance losing its impact?

As the number and size of nonviolent protests worldwide have grown, so has the frequency of governments acting in authoritarian ways.

Nonviolent protest defined the decade. But is civil resistance losing its impact?
Two women wearing black veils walk outside past a sign with Arabic text.

The women of ISIS are more than just brides

Iranian American journalist and writer Azadeh Moaveni spoke with Marco Werman about why the term "ISIS brides" is problematic and shares her perspective on the much bigger role that women have had in militant Islamic groups.

The women of ISIS are more than just brides
mayor

Tunisians wonder what their first female mayor will do for women

Souad Abderrahim dedicated her victory in City Hall to all Tunisian women.

Tunisians wonder what their first female mayor will do for women
tunisia

In Tunisia, preserving tradition in the last underground homes

In recent decades, rural depopulation has meant fewer people live in the homes, which are composed of rooms hewn into the walls of an excavated circular courtyard.

In Tunisia, preserving tradition in the last underground homes