If you follow the news and keep track of current events, you already know that Tunisia is in a state of emergency. The president has fled the country and there's chaos galore.

But the nerd in me has questions: Is Mos Eisley safe? Can I still hire a mercenary pilot at the Cantina? Will I be able to get my power converters at Tosche Station? Is Obi Wan's house still standing?

What's that you say? What am I talking about?

As any Star Wars fan knows, Mos Eisley, Anchorhead, Uncle Owen's farm and more are all places of interest in the first (or is it the fourth?) Star Wars movie, A New Hope.

And they were all shot on location in Tunisia which creator-director George Lucas called "the ideal country for filming: beautiful countryside, unique architecture and a very high level of technical sophistication."

So I have to ask. Is Tatooine safe?

My cable to the U.S. Embassy there has gone unanswered.

[Artwork: Bantha, making tracks in Tunisia]