Civilian-based Defense for Tunisia

The desire of Tunesians to avoid another dictatorship would be enhanced by a civilian-based defense. Such a policy would ultimately transfer defense from the military to ordinary citizens. It relies on tough but nonviolent tactics to defeat not only coups but invasions. It was successfully used, for example, by Lithuania against Soviet invasion. Military establishments are often used to prop up dictators. With the dictator out in Tunesia, there is a window of opportunity to establish a better and civilian-based defense. The citizens of Tunesia have already learned valuable lessons in nonviolent action. They should now enshrine nonviolent action as their nation’s defense.