Written by Anthony B. Kim | From The Daily Signal

Determined and courageous, the Tunisians have done it again. Defying the cynics, the bottom-up transition to democracy continues apace in the birthplace of the Arab Spring.

The latest milestone came on Sunday, Dec. 21, when Tunisians held their run-off presidential election. It was a peaceful event, conducted in a free, fair, and transparent fashion. Once again, Tunisia proved to be “unfashionably democratic,” a beacon of freedom and hope in the turbulent Middle East. As such, it deserves concrete U.S. support.

It has been four years since the Arab Spring erupted in Tunisia, igniting waves of protest that rocked authoritarian regimes throughout the Middle East. While violent civil conflicts have prevailed elsewhere in the region, Tunisia has pursued a transition to democracy without bloodshed.

In 2014, the country made massive strides, adopting a new constitution, then holding its first full parliamentary and presidential elections under that constitution.

Small wonder The Economist has named Tunisia “country of the year.” As the magazine put it: “Tunisia’s pragmatism and moderation have nurtured hope in a wretched region and a troubled world.”

Read more at The Daily Signal