Baker Institute Student Forum debate: U.S. intervention long missing
Following the self-inflicted death by fire of a young man in Tunisia that sparked a revolution and drove the dictator-president Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali into exile, six men in Egypt, Mauritius and Algeria have immolated themselves, trying to incite similar riots in their countries. The movement in Tunisia has yet to take on a clear leader, but the original protesters were college educated and middle class, who were outraged and blaming a corrupt government for the lack of opportunities available in their country. While open revolt has yet to break out in other African nations, tensions are high and the United States cannot afford to ignore or be surprised by the situation. China has invested billions in Africa while placing no conditions for respect of human rights upon its investments and, consequently, has gained access to many resources and developed a growing sphere of influence.