ABSTRACT
Tunisia occupies a small corner of the southern Mediterranean coast, wedged between Algeria and Libya. French influence in Tunisia began when French forces crossed into Tunisian territory from neighboring Algeria to stem border raids by Algerians opposed to French rule. French colonial policy relied on local officials under French supervision, while gradually increasing French power. When Tunisia became independent, its leadership had to choose a method to develop the economy, either a strong state role emphasizing the public sector or allowing the private sector to use market forces to build the economy. Tunisia is a small country between two larger and unstable ones and attempts to maximize its security by maintaining a strict policy of neutrality. In December 1994, Tunisia was one of a number of Arab countries and actors signing an agreement with Israel to reduce military tension in the region.
