The results of upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections, held amid chronic economic struggles and increasing political fracturing, will go a long way in determining whether its democracy has staying power.
Although civilians will ostensibly control the government guiding the country toward elections, the military retains a strong hand.
The North African country's opposition hits a roadblock in its attempts to persuade the powers that be to institute real change.
Tunisia's nonagenarian president has taken ill. The country's newly minted constitution, however, isn't providing much help in illuminating the way forward.
A protest movement that won't take no for an answer poses a conundrum for the country's entrenched powers, which must decide whether and how much to give. Another delayed election creates the conditions for a possible showdown between the two sides.
Attempts to unseat the long-ailing president have failed before, but his increasing decrepitude and rising public discontent might be enough to garner parliamentary support this time.
As protests continue, the country's ruling stakeholders are tackling the difficult question of how to hand off power to a new generation.
Persistent demonstrations in the North African country could foment instability -- and Islamist militants are ready to capitalize.
Regardless of whether the protests worsen, the president's era is coming to an end.
Even if its aging president wins re-election, Algeria's fading economy will likely force the government to reform its policies and open up to the rest of the world.
