As you say in your leader to your country of the year announcement, this has been a bad year for many a nation state (“Hope Springs,” December 20, 2014). Ukraine, Iraq, Syria, Nigeria, South Sudan, and Afghanistan come to mind at once. There are some bright examples, and especially on your home turf of economics, such as Ireland and Iceland, but this year’s winner, Tunisia, and runner-up, Indonesia, are surely great surprises to your readers, just as was last year’s winner, Uruguay. In your own words, Tunisia’s economy is struggling and its polity is fragile, but its “pragmatism and moderation have nurtured hope in a wretched region and a troubled world.” In short, it is all about hope, whence Uruguay’s victory last year, as well. Your country of the year should perhaps be renamed accordingly—say, most hopeful country of the year. In the event, many of your readers would be greatly relieved.