A reader writes:
While I was visiting my sister in Rome this past December, she and I took a short trip to Tunisia. This was my first visit to a predominantly Muslim country, and I didn’t really know what to expect. I must say, I was pleasantly surprised. The country felt distinctly modern and the people were welcoming. The most negative reactions we received were long, stern stares when entering one of Tunisia’s many male-dominated caf√©s, a common evening hangout in the country. From what I could tell, however, women played an active – if not equal – role in Tunisian society. And while I’m sure that extremist, anti-western elements exist, we saw no signs of them.
Mostly I was left with a strong sense that this is a country headed in the right direction, a place the US should be actively supporting as an emerging model in the region. Fortunately, it looks like we may be doing just that, thanks to Rumsfeld no less.
Credit where it’s due.
The Dish 