Chapter · Chapitre · الفصل
V
1990s — Present
Stabilité et priorité à la sécuritéالاستقرار والتركيز على الأمن
In 1996, Michael Jackson brought his HIStory World Tour to Tunis, a moment that captured how thoroughly American culture had woven itself into Tunisian public life over the preceding decades. In 2002, the United States opened a new Embassy, a tangible investment in a long-term presence and enduring commitment. In 2015, the United States designated Tunisia a Major Non-NATO Ally, formally recognizing a security partnership built quietly over generations. Between those two milestones came one of the most consequential moments in modern Tunisian history: the 2011 “Jasmine Revolution,” which ended the autocratic regime of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and ignited the Arab Spring. The United States publicly supported Tunisia’s democratic transition and significantly increased assistance for civil society organizations, electoral institutions, and economic stabilization. The ties connecting American and Tunisian history, including cultural exchanges, development programs, security partnerships, and democratic aspirations, remain remarkably rich. Today, the United States’ close collaboration with Tunisia on trade and security builds on ties the two countries have nurtured over the last 230 years.
Milestones · Jalons · محطات
On October 7, the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, sings to close to 60,000 spectators at the Stade Olympique d’el Menzah. The concert was Jackson’s first as a solo artist on the African continent and his only concert in the Arab World.
Open this milestoneIn November, the U.S. Embassy relocates from Avenue de la Liberté to its new, modern campus at Berges du Lac II.
Open this milestoneOn December 17, 2010, the self-immolation of street vendor Mohamed Bouazizi in Sidi Bouzid sparks nationwide protests against President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali, culminating in Ben Ali’s flight from the country on January 14, 2011. The United States publicly supports the democratic transition by increasing assistance for civil society, elections, and economic stabilization.
Open this milestoneFollowing a high-profile meeting between U.S. President Barack Obama and President Beji Caid Essebsi, that culminated in a co-authored New York Times opinion piece, the United States designates Tunisia as a Major Non-NATO Ally. The United States and Tunisia continue to strengthen cultural, economic, and military cooperation.
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In April, Tunisian military personnel participate for the first time in the joint military exercise African Lion. At the time, Exercise African Lion was the largest annual training event of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe (MARFOREUR) and U.S. Marine Corps Forces Africa (MARFORAF). Approximately 1,300 military personnel from the United States, Canada, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Mali, Mauritania, Senegal, Spain, and Tunisia traveled to various regions of the Kingdom of Morocco to take part in the exercise. Tunisia marked its 10th consecutive year of participation in Exercise African Lion 2026.
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