In his 2011 State of the Union, President Obama outlined a sweeping program for economic transformation, resting on innovation, education, infrastructure, deficit reduction, and governmental reform. The New America Foundation asks whether these are the right “pillars” of a national agenda.
Three of them – innovation, education and infrastructure – are on the mark. But deficit reduction, as a goal of policy, contradicts these goals. And “government reform” is just an old slogan without substantial content, as the text of the State of the Union address itself reveals.
From the beginning, the Great Crisis has demanded a strategic response. The President's conceptual failure in 2009 was the notion that a sufficient “stimulus” program, coupled with measures to preserve Wall Street, would suffice to “restore credit flows” and “get the economy moving again.” This was never true. The stimulus and financial measures could stabilize things, but they could not by themselves restore growth, prosperity, and high employment. Policies based on this vision would have disappointed, even if the “stimulus” had been markedly bigger and better than it was.
The new vision stresses innovation to cope with our energy and climate challenges. It stresses education as social policy and for economic competitiveness. It stresses infrastructure not only for competitiveness, but also for quality of life. These are simple matters to speak of – matters of vision, direction, orientation stated in very general terms – but they are moves in the right direction.
However, the President chose not to specify what actions Congress should take. Implementation, in other words, was missing. Given the futility of our politics, one can understand why he was reticent. But in the real world, the path from intention to results is paved with actual proposals and actual decisions, which must be based on realistic technologies, not pipe dreams. You cannot simply wave a wand.
On innovation: did the President really hold out hope for fueling cars with water and sunlight? (Yes, he did.) Did he promise that 80 percent of our electricity can come from “clean” sources (and what, if anything, does that mean?) Does he really think that biofuels can “break our dependence on oil”? He said so. That he said so is a sad commentary on the place of science in the Obama White House. That he didn't mention the threat these initiatives are supposed to deal with – global warming – is sadder still.
So how about a new set of national labs, spread across the states, to carry out basic research, technical development and evaluation – to get credible and apolitical answers to these questions and to plot the best path? How about a new program of research consortia, research parks and joint ventures, again on proven models and with competent, autonomous review boards? How about regional planning centers to adapt new technologies to local conditions? How about a Cabinet department to coordinate these efforts for energy security and against climate change?
Reflections from news and commentary of the day
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Wednesday, February 2, 2011
China Initiates Thorium MSR Project.
China Initiates Thorium MSR Project.
http://energyfromthorium.com/
In this post, Kirk covers Chinese reports on their decision to institute thorium breeding Molten Salt Reactor development.
IMF raises spectre of civil wars as global inequalities worsen
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that "dangerous" imbalances have emerged that threaten to derail global recovery and stoke tensions that may ultimately set off civil wars in deeply unequal countries.
Al Qaeda actively seeking "dirty" bombs: documents
 |
London (AFP) Feb 2, 2011 Al-Qaeda is attempting to procure nuclear material and recruit rogue scientists in order to build a radioactive "dirty bomb," leaked documents published in Wednesday's Telegraph newspaper revealed. The cables, released by the WikiLeaks website, showed that security chiefs told a Nato meeting in January 2009 that Al-Qaeda was planning a programme of "dirty radioactive improvised explosive devices (IEDs)."
The makeshift nuclear bombs, which could be used against soldiers fighting in Afghanistan, would contaminate the surrounding area for years to come.
The leaked documents also revealed that Al-Qaeda papers found in 2007 convinced security officials that "greater advances" had been made in bio-terrorism than was previously feared.
US security personnel were warned in 2008 that terrorists had "the technical competence to manufacture an explosive device beyond a mere dirty bomb."
Also laid bare in the diplomatic cables are the attempts made to smuggle volatile materials as rogue organisations seek to get their hands on weapons-grade fuel.
The memos detailed how a freight train on the Kazakhstan-Russia border was found to be carrying weapons-grade material while a "small-time" dealer in Lisbon tried to sell radioactive plates stolen from Chernobyl.
In a separate leaked memo, which documented a January 2010 meeting between Janet Napolitano, US Secretary of Homeland Security, and European ministers, the German interior minister revealed his concerns over aircraft security.
According to the cable, Thomas de Maiziere expressed his fear that terrorists could use "children's articles to introduce bombs into airplanes."
Egypt Army Calls for End to Protests from the CFR
Egypt Army Calls for End to Protests
Just hours after President Hosni Mubarak told the nation he would not run for reelection, the Egyptian military urged the thousands of anti-government protesters occupying central Cairo to end the nine days of demonstrations and "restore normal life" (FT). Despite the request, up to two thousand anti-Mubarak activists remained in the city center continuing to demand Mubarak's immediate withdrawal from office. According to the BBC, clashes broke out between protestors and supporters of Mubarak who have surged into the square following the army's request. The army took no immediate steps to intervene, and had previously declared it would not use force against peaceful protesters. Opposition forces now face the question of whether to follow the military's request or continue to protest until the president leaves office (WSJ).
Despite Mubarak's pledge to exit office within months (NYT), U.S. President Barack Obama strongly suggested the concession was not enough, stating that an "orderly transition must be meaningful, it must be peaceful, and it must begin now." The U.S. ambassador to Egypt met with opposition leader Mohamed ElBaradei on Tuesday and will speak with leaders of other political movements (CNN), according to a senior State Department official.
Analysis:
With the Muslim Brotherhood poised to gain influence in Egypt, Israel sees itself as almost completely encircled by hostile forces. In this piece for Foreign Affairs, Yossi Klein Halevi asks: Is an Egyptian-Iranian alliance a possibility--and where would this leave the future of a sovereign Palestinian state?
The United States should be quietly pressing for Mubarak to step aside and allow for a transfer of authority in Egypt--either a constitutional reform process or a caretaker government, says CFR President Richard N. Haass.
This issue guide provides a range of background and analysis on the protests in the Middle East and North Africa.
Background:
This CFR Contingency Planning Memo discusses political instability in Egypt and assesses the possibility of a troubled leadership succession or an Islamist push for political power, the implications for the United States, and policy steps the U.S. government might take.
Just hours after President Hosni Mubarak told the nation he would not run for reelection, the Egyptian military urged the thousands of anti-government protesters occupying central Cairo to end the nine days of demonstrations and "restore normal life" (FT). Despite the request, up to two thousand anti-Mubarak activists remained in the city center continuing to demand Mubarak's immediate withdrawal from office. According to the BBC, clashes broke out between protestors and supporters of Mubarak who have surged into the square following the army's request. The army took no immediate steps to intervene, and had previously declared it would not use force against peaceful protesters. Opposition forces now face the question of whether to follow the military's request or continue to protest until the president leaves office (WSJ).
Despite Mubarak's pledge to exit office within months (NYT), U.S. President Barack Obama strongly suggested the concession was not enough, stating that an "orderly transition must be meaningful, it must be peaceful, and it must begin now." The U.S. ambassador to Egypt met with opposition leader Mohamed ElBaradei on Tuesday and will speak with leaders of other political movements (CNN), according to a senior State Department official.
Analysis:
With the Muslim Brotherhood poised to gain influence in Egypt, Israel sees itself as almost completely encircled by hostile forces. In this piece for Foreign Affairs, Yossi Klein Halevi asks: Is an Egyptian-Iranian alliance a possibility--and where would this leave the future of a sovereign Palestinian state?
The United States should be quietly pressing for Mubarak to step aside and allow for a transfer of authority in Egypt--either a constitutional reform process or a caretaker government, says CFR President Richard N. Haass.
This issue guide provides a range of background and analysis on the protests in the Middle East and North Africa.
Background:
This CFR Contingency Planning Memo discusses political instability in Egypt and assesses the possibility of a troubled leadership succession or an Islamist push for political power, the implications for the United States, and policy steps the U.S. government might take.
The Making of Egypt's Revolution By ESAM AL-AMIN
People Power in Action
The Making of Egypt's Revolution
By ESAM AL-AMINFreedom lies behind a door, closed shut
It can only be knocked down with a bleeding fist
-- Egyptian Poet-Laureate Ahmad Shawqi (1869-1932)
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Al-Qaida on brink of using nuclear bomb'
Al-Qaida on brink of using nuclear bomb'
By Heidi Blake and Christopher Hope, The Daily Telegraph
Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Qaida+bri...l#ixzz1Cls1BYVq
By Heidi Blake and Christopher Hope, The Daily Telegraph
Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Qaida+bri...l#ixzz1Cls1BYVq
Dept of State issues Worldwide Caution for U. S. Citizens anywhere
Dept of State issues Worldwide Caution for U. S. Citizens anywhere
This information is current as of today, Tue Feb 01 2011 22:13:41 GMT-0500 (Eastern Standard Time). Tue Feb 01 16:59:10 2011.
The Department of State has issued this Worldwide Caution to update information on the continuing threat of terrorist actions and violence against U.S. citizens and interests throughout the world.
U.S. citizens are reminded to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness. This replaces the Worldwide Caution dated August 12, 2010, to provide updated information on security threats and terrorist activities worldwide.
The Department of State remains concerned about the continued threat of terrorist attacks, demonstrations, and other violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests overseas. U.S. citizens are reminded that demonstrations and rioting can occur with little or no warning. Current information suggests that Al-Qaida and affiliated organizations continue to plan terrorist attacks against U.S. interests in multiple regions, including Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. These attacks may employ a wide variety of tactics including suicide operations, assassinations, kidnappings, hijackings, and bombings.
Extremists may elect to use conventional or non-conventional weapons, and target both official and private interests. Examples of such targets include high-profile sporting events, residential areas, business offices, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools, public areas, and locales where U.S. citizens gather in large numbers, including during holidays.
U.S. citizens are reminded of the potential for terrorists to attack public transportation systems and other tourist infrastructure. Extremists have targeted and attacked subway and rail systems, as well as aviation and maritime services. In the past several years, these types of attacks have occurred in cities such as Moscow, London, Madrid, and Glasgow.
Current information suggests that Al-Qaida and affiliated organizations continue to plan terrorist attacks against U.S. and Western interests in Europe. European governments have taken action to guard against terrorist attack and some have spoken publicly about the heightened threat conditions. In the past several years, attacks have been planned or occurred in various European cities.
Credible information indicates terrorist groups also seek to continue attacks against U.S. interests in the Middle East and North Africa. For example, Iraq remains dangerous and unpredictable. Attacks against military and civilian targets throughout Iraq continue. Methods of attack have included roadside improvised explosive devices, mortars, and shootings; kidnappings still occur as well. Security threat levels remain high in Yemen due to terrorist activities there. The U.S. Embassy has had to close several times in response to ongoing threats by Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). U.S. citizens as well as other Westerners have been targeted for attack in Yemen. U.S. citizens have also been the targets of numerous terrorist attacks in Lebanon in the past (though none recently) and the threat of anti-Western terrorist activity continues to exist there. In Algeria, terrorist attacks occur regularly, particularly in the Kabylie region of the country. In the past, terrorists have targeted oil processing facilities in both Saudi Arabia and Yemen.
A number of Al-Qaida operatives and other extremists are believed to be operating in and around Africa. Since the July 11, 2010, terrorist bombings in Kampala, Uganda, for which the Somalia-based, U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility, there have been increased threats against public areas across East Africa. The terrorist attacks of August and September 2010 against the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and African Union (AU) peacekeeping forces in Somalia, as well as the bombing of hotels and minibuses in Somalia, highlight the vulnerabilities to terrorist attacks in East Africa and around the world. Additionally, the terrorist group, Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), has declared its intention to attack Western targets throughout the Sahel (which includes Mali, Mauritania, and Niger), and has claimed responsibility for kidnappings, attempted kidnappings, and the murder of several Westerners.
This information is current as of today, Tue Feb 01 2011 22:13:41 GMT-0500 (Eastern Standard Time). Tue Feb 01 16:59:10 2011.
The Department of State has issued this Worldwide Caution to update information on the continuing threat of terrorist actions and violence against U.S. citizens and interests throughout the world.
U.S. citizens are reminded to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness. This replaces the Worldwide Caution dated August 12, 2010, to provide updated information on security threats and terrorist activities worldwide.
The Department of State remains concerned about the continued threat of terrorist attacks, demonstrations, and other violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests overseas. U.S. citizens are reminded that demonstrations and rioting can occur with little or no warning. Current information suggests that Al-Qaida and affiliated organizations continue to plan terrorist attacks against U.S. interests in multiple regions, including Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. These attacks may employ a wide variety of tactics including suicide operations, assassinations, kidnappings, hijackings, and bombings.
Extremists may elect to use conventional or non-conventional weapons, and target both official and private interests. Examples of such targets include high-profile sporting events, residential areas, business offices, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools, public areas, and locales where U.S. citizens gather in large numbers, including during holidays.
U.S. citizens are reminded of the potential for terrorists to attack public transportation systems and other tourist infrastructure. Extremists have targeted and attacked subway and rail systems, as well as aviation and maritime services. In the past several years, these types of attacks have occurred in cities such as Moscow, London, Madrid, and Glasgow.
Current information suggests that Al-Qaida and affiliated organizations continue to plan terrorist attacks against U.S. and Western interests in Europe. European governments have taken action to guard against terrorist attack and some have spoken publicly about the heightened threat conditions. In the past several years, attacks have been planned or occurred in various European cities.
Credible information indicates terrorist groups also seek to continue attacks against U.S. interests in the Middle East and North Africa. For example, Iraq remains dangerous and unpredictable. Attacks against military and civilian targets throughout Iraq continue. Methods of attack have included roadside improvised explosive devices, mortars, and shootings; kidnappings still occur as well. Security threat levels remain high in Yemen due to terrorist activities there. The U.S. Embassy has had to close several times in response to ongoing threats by Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). U.S. citizens as well as other Westerners have been targeted for attack in Yemen. U.S. citizens have also been the targets of numerous terrorist attacks in Lebanon in the past (though none recently) and the threat of anti-Western terrorist activity continues to exist there. In Algeria, terrorist attacks occur regularly, particularly in the Kabylie region of the country. In the past, terrorists have targeted oil processing facilities in both Saudi Arabia and Yemen.
A number of Al-Qaida operatives and other extremists are believed to be operating in and around Africa. Since the July 11, 2010, terrorist bombings in Kampala, Uganda, for which the Somalia-based, U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility, there have been increased threats against public areas across East Africa. The terrorist attacks of August and September 2010 against the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and African Union (AU) peacekeeping forces in Somalia, as well as the bombing of hotels and minibuses in Somalia, highlight the vulnerabilities to terrorist attacks in East Africa and around the world. Additionally, the terrorist group, Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), has declared its intention to attack Western targets throughout the Sahel (which includes Mali, Mauritania, and Niger), and has claimed responsibility for kidnappings, attempted kidnappings, and the murder of several Westerners.
And There It Is: Neocons Test Idea of US Intervention in Egypt Jeremy Sapienza
And There It Is: Neocons Test Idea of US Intervention in Egypt
Jeremy Sapienza
Arab Leaders Trying to Keep Heads Above Waves of Mideast Protests
Arab Leaders Trying to Keep Heads Above Waves of Mideast Protests
Leaders in Jordan, Yemen, Syria, Egypt Hoping Moves Help Defuse Anger
Syrian Opposition Groups Mobilize For Protest On Saturday-Report
Syrian Opposition Groups Mobilize For Protest On Saturday-Report
A Glimmer of Hope Over Iran? -- Robert Dreyfus, The Diplomat
A Glimmer of Hope Over Iran? -- Robert Dreyfus, The Diplomat
Iran Cracks Down While Egypt Cracks Up -- Barbara Slavin, Foreign Policy
Iran Cracks Down While Egypt Cracks Up -- Barbara Slavin, Foreign Policy
U.S. open to a role for Islamists in new Egypt government
U.S. open to a role for Islamists in new Egypt government
But the Muslim Brotherhood must renounce violence and support democracy, the White House says.
Wary of Egypt Unrest, China Censors Web
Wary of Egypt Unrest, China Censors Web
By EDWARD WONG and DAVID BARBOZA
Saudi Arabia May Not Seem Weak, But It's Hiding Three Political Threats
Saudi Arabia May Not Seem Weak, But It's Hiding Three Political Threats
There are, however, quite a few reasons why Saudi Arabia is the next domino, according to Evans-Pritchard.- Youth unemployment (20-24 years old): 42%
- Minority religious group: Shia 10%
- Demographic diversity: One third of all residents foreign
Protests have started in Saudi Arabia, but are at this time focused on the government's poor performance in handling and preparing for recent floods.
MUBARAK SPEAKS: He's Holding Onto Power For The Next Seven Months Gus Lubin
MUBARAK SPEAKS: He's Holding Onto Power For The Next Seven Months
Gus LubinHere's How The US Told Hosni Mubarak He Was Done Ambassador Wisner is in Cairo to deliver the news.
| Here's How The US Told Hosni Mubarak He Was Done Ambassador Wisner is in Cairo to deliver the news. |
The King Of Jordan Just Dismissed His Entire Government In Last Gasp Desperate Bid To Prevent Egypt Style Crisis Latest in developing Middle East crisis.
| The King Of Jordan Just Dismissed His Entire Government In Last Gasp Desperate Bid To Prevent Egypt Style Crisis Latest in developing Middle East crisis. |
Clinton calls home US envoys in post-mortem on WikiLeaks crisis
Clinton calls home US envoys in post-mortem on WikiLeaks crisis
By David Usborne, US Editor,The Independent, London http://www.independent.co.uk/
Jordan’s King Dismisses Cabinet as Tremors Spread Through Region
Jordan's King Abdullah II, © RIA Novosti. Aleksei NikolskiyJordan's King Dismisses Cabinet -- New York Times
AMMAN, Jordan — King Abdullah II of Jordan fired his government in a surprise move on Tuesday, in the face of a wave of demands of public accountability sweeping the Arab world and bringing throngs of demonstrators to the streets of Egypt.
The Jordanian news agency Petra announced that after recent protests in Jordan itself, the king had dismissed Prime Minister Samir Rifai and replaced him with Marouf al-Bakhit, a former general and ambassador to Israel and Turkey. He is widely viewed as clean of corruption.
Read more ....
More News On Jordan's King Firing His Cabinet
Jordan's king fires Cabinet amid protests -- Yahoo News/AP
Jordan's king appoints new prime minister after protests -- Yahoo News/Reuters
Jordan king fires govt, Islamists slam new PM -- Yahoo News/AFP
King of Jordan sacks government, appoints new prime minister -- Deutsche Welle
Jordan's King Abdullah dismisses government in wake of protests -- USA Today
King Abdullah Fires His Cabinet Ahead of Demos -- FOX News
Jordan's King Abdullah Replaces Prime Minister -- Bloomberg
Jordan PM resigns but protests continue -- Press TV (Iran)
Protest Snowball Knocks Over Jordanian Government -- Arutz Sheva
King of Jordan Doesn't Want Any Part of This Revolution Fad -- New York Magazine
Jordan moves quickly to prevent uprising similar to Egypt -- Examiner
Jordan protests pressure king, but respect for monarchy remains -- Washington Post
Did Jordan's King Abdullah Push the Panic Button? -- Aaron Goldstein
Days of Unrest - Egypt Day 8
Days of Unrest
Mubarak Seeks Dialogue, Shows No Sign of Relenting - Washington Post
Mubarak’s Grip on Power Is Shaken - New York Times
Egypt Protests Strengthen, Army Vows to Hold Fire - Los Angeles Times
At Cairo Square, Protesters Sow Seeds of New Egypt - Washington Post
Thousands Gather at Egypt Protest - BBC News
Egyptian Protesters: 'The People Won't Get Tired' - USA Today
Mubarak Offers Talks, Pushed By Army, U.S. And Protests - Reuters
Egypt Crisis: Country Braced for 'March of a Million' - Daily Telegraph
Cairo Crowds Swell After Call for Massive Tue. March - Los Angeles Times
Egyptians Stock Up on Food, Water as Protests Rage - Associated Press
Egyptian Opposition Calls for Massive Protest; Foreigners Flee - Washington Post
U.S. Begins Evacuation Flights From Cairo - New York Times
Cairo Airport a Scene of Chaos as Foreigners Flee - Associated Press
In Crowd’s Euphoria, No Clear Leadership Emerges - New York Times
Anti-American Sentiment Gradually Surfaces in Egypt - Los Angeles Times
Muslim Brotherhood May Gain Power in Egypt by Default - The Guardian
Egypt Military Promises No Force Against Protests - Associated Press
Army Rules Out Force Against Protesters - Financial Times
Egypt VP Promises Dialogue for Reform - Associated Press
Tempers Flare as Pro-Mubarak Egyptians Make Their Case to Protesters - Time
Egypt’s Economy Is Near Paralysis - New York Times
On Mubarak, U.S. Charts a Delicate Course - Washington Post
U.S. Scrambles to Size Up ElBaradei - New York Times
U.S. Open to Islamist Role in New Egypt Government - Los Angeles Times
Obama Treads Lightly on Egypt - Washington Times
Unrest Rattles U.S. Approach in Region - Wall Street Journal
With Egypt, Diplomatic Words Often Fail - New York Times
Congressional Leaders Back 'One Voice' approach to Egypt - Washington Post
Hague: Egypt Needs 'Real and Visible Reform' - BBC News
E.U. Calls for Orderly Transition in Egypt - New York Times
China Mulls Impact of Mideast Uprisings - Washington Post
Wary of Egypt Unrest, China Censors Web - New York Times
Egypt Viewed U.S. Military Aid as Reward - Sydney Morning Herald
Israel's Netanyahu Fears Egypt Could Go Way Of Iran - Reuters
Arabs Brandishing People Power - Washington Times
Palestinian Adversaries Unite, for Now, Over Egypt - New York Times
Unrest in Egypt Unsettles Global Markets - New York Times
Tunisia: E.U. OKs Sanctions Against Ben Ali and Wife - Associated Press
Al Jazeera English Finds an Audience - New York Times
Misconceptions About the Egyptian Crisis - Washington Post editorial
It's Egypt's Decision - Los Angeles Times editorial
Time to End the Arab Exception - Financial Times editorial
The Egyptians Hate Us - Washington Times editorial
Allying Ourselves With the Next Egypt - New York Times opinion
In Egypt, Proceed Slowly - Washington Post opinion
Support Mubarak - Washington Times opinion
Back the Protesters - Washington Post opinion
A Realist Policy for Egypt - Foreign Policy opinion
Hope Amid the Chaos in Cairo - Los Angeles Times opinion
Note of Warning and Encouragement - The New Republic opinion
Can Hosni Hang On? - Foreign Policy opinion
Mubarak's Legacy - Washington Post opinion
Exhilarated by the Hope in Cairo - New York Times opinion
Second Chance for Democracy in Egypt - Los Angeles Times opinion
Life on Hold in Egypt - BBC News opinion
Egypt’s Military in the Crosshairs - Foreign Policy opinion
Don't Fear Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood - Daily Beast opinion
Fear the Muslim Brotherhood - National Review opinion
The Quest for Dignity - New York Times opinion
Why Didn't the Obama Administration See This Coming? - Foreign Policy opinion
Exit the Israel Alibi - New York Times opinion
Mubarak Seeks Dialogue, Shows No Sign of Relenting - Washington Post
Mubarak’s Grip on Power Is Shaken - New York Times
Egypt Protests Strengthen, Army Vows to Hold Fire - Los Angeles Times
At Cairo Square, Protesters Sow Seeds of New Egypt - Washington Post
Thousands Gather at Egypt Protest - BBC News
Egyptian Protesters: 'The People Won't Get Tired' - USA Today
Mubarak Offers Talks, Pushed By Army, U.S. And Protests - Reuters
Egypt Crisis: Country Braced for 'March of a Million' - Daily Telegraph
Cairo Crowds Swell After Call for Massive Tue. March - Los Angeles Times
Egyptians Stock Up on Food, Water as Protests Rage - Associated Press
Egyptian Opposition Calls for Massive Protest; Foreigners Flee - Washington Post
U.S. Begins Evacuation Flights From Cairo - New York Times
Cairo Airport a Scene of Chaos as Foreigners Flee - Associated Press
In Crowd’s Euphoria, No Clear Leadership Emerges - New York Times
Anti-American Sentiment Gradually Surfaces in Egypt - Los Angeles Times
Muslim Brotherhood May Gain Power in Egypt by Default - The Guardian
Egypt Military Promises No Force Against Protests - Associated Press
Army Rules Out Force Against Protesters - Financial Times
Egypt VP Promises Dialogue for Reform - Associated Press
Tempers Flare as Pro-Mubarak Egyptians Make Their Case to Protesters - Time
Egypt’s Economy Is Near Paralysis - New York Times
On Mubarak, U.S. Charts a Delicate Course - Washington Post
U.S. Scrambles to Size Up ElBaradei - New York Times
U.S. Open to Islamist Role in New Egypt Government - Los Angeles Times
Obama Treads Lightly on Egypt - Washington Times
Unrest Rattles U.S. Approach in Region - Wall Street Journal
With Egypt, Diplomatic Words Often Fail - New York Times
Congressional Leaders Back 'One Voice' approach to Egypt - Washington Post
Hague: Egypt Needs 'Real and Visible Reform' - BBC News
E.U. Calls for Orderly Transition in Egypt - New York Times
China Mulls Impact of Mideast Uprisings - Washington Post
Wary of Egypt Unrest, China Censors Web - New York Times
Egypt Viewed U.S. Military Aid as Reward - Sydney Morning Herald
Israel's Netanyahu Fears Egypt Could Go Way Of Iran - Reuters
Arabs Brandishing People Power - Washington Times
Palestinian Adversaries Unite, for Now, Over Egypt - New York Times
Unrest in Egypt Unsettles Global Markets - New York Times
Tunisia: E.U. OKs Sanctions Against Ben Ali and Wife - Associated Press
Al Jazeera English Finds an Audience - New York Times
Misconceptions About the Egyptian Crisis - Washington Post editorial
It's Egypt's Decision - Los Angeles Times editorial
Time to End the Arab Exception - Financial Times editorial
The Egyptians Hate Us - Washington Times editorial
Allying Ourselves With the Next Egypt - New York Times opinion
In Egypt, Proceed Slowly - Washington Post opinion
Support Mubarak - Washington Times opinion
Back the Protesters - Washington Post opinion
A Realist Policy for Egypt - Foreign Policy opinion
Hope Amid the Chaos in Cairo - Los Angeles Times opinion
Note of Warning and Encouragement - The New Republic opinion
Can Hosni Hang On? - Foreign Policy opinion
Mubarak's Legacy - Washington Post opinion
Exhilarated by the Hope in Cairo - New York Times opinion
Second Chance for Democracy in Egypt - Los Angeles Times opinion
Life on Hold in Egypt - BBC News opinion
Egypt’s Military in the Crosshairs - Foreign Policy opinion
Don't Fear Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood - Daily Beast opinion
Fear the Muslim Brotherhood - National Review opinion
The Quest for Dignity - New York Times opinion
Why Didn't the Obama Administration See This Coming? - Foreign Policy opinion
Exit the Israel Alibi - New York Times opinion
Could US abandon Israel too?
Could US abandon Israel too?
American response to uprising in Egypt shows Washington has no qualms about 'dropping' long time ally. Is Israel in danger of receiving similar treatment? Experts say 'possibility always exists,' recommend strengthening relations with India, China
Aviel Magnezi
American response to uprising in Egypt shows Washington has no qualms about 'dropping' long time ally. Is Israel in danger of receiving similar treatment? Experts say 'possibility always exists,' recommend strengthening relations with India, China
Aviel Magnezi
: Wall Street Execs On New Terror Threat Info -- New York Daily News
Security officials are warning the leaders of major Wall Street banks that al Qaeda terrorists in Yemen may be trying to plan attacks against those financial institutions or their leading executives.
Intelligence officials stress the threats are general in nature and there is "no indication of a targeted assassination plot" against any Wall Street executive. But NBCNewYork.com has learned officials fear the names of some top banking executives have been discussed by terror operatives overseas.
Read more ....
More News On Al Qaeda Targeting Wall Street
U.S. briefs Wall Street about al Qaeda threat -- Reuters
Wall Street banks 'warned of terror threat' -- AFP
Report: U.S. Intel Officials Warn Wall Street Execs of Al Qaeda Plot -- FOX News
FBI Warns Wall Street of Possible Threat: Report -- The Street
U.S. briefs Wall Street about al-Qaeda threat -- Globe And Mail
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH RON PAUL: It's Going To Take A Crisis For Real Reform At The Fed
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH RON PAUL: It's Going To Take A Crisis For Real Reform At The Fed
Key Military, Intelligence Assets Imperiled In Egypt -- Washington Times
U.S. military and intelligence agencies would lose vital air, land and sea assets if Egypt falls into the hands of radical Islamists, as Iran did in 1979, foreign policy analysts say.
The U.S. armed forces are entwined with Egypt's military more than with any other Arab country’s. But if Islamists seize Cairo, as the mullahs captured Tehran, this complex relationship unravels.
“Let me count the ways,” said Ken Allard, a retired Army colonel and military analyst. “They are our biggest strategic partner in the Middle East. At that point, you’ve lost your biggest Arab partner. Geostrategically, the mind boggles.”
Read more ....
The Daily Beast: Egypt Protests Shows American Foreign Policy Folly
The Daily Beast: Egypt Protests Shows American Foreign Policy Folly
| Author: | Stephen Kinzer |
|---|
Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission Report, January 2011
Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission Report, January 2011
Egypt's Need for Presidential Change
Egypt's Need for Presidential Change
The United States should be quietly pressing for President Mubarak to step aside and allow for a transfer of authority in Egypt--either a constitutional reform process or a caretaker government, says CFR President Richard N. Haass.
Issue Guide: Arab World Protests
Issue Guide: Arab World Protests
This issue guide provides a range of background and analysis on the protests in the Middle East and North Africa.
Where Innovation Is Sorely Needed
Where Innovation Is Sorely Needed
The pervasiveness of data threatens to upend some business models and enhance others.
Democracy Is Back -- How Awkward By: Gideon Rachman | Financial Times
Democracy Is Back -- How Awkward
By: Gideon Rachman | Financial Times
By: Gideon Rachman | Financial Times
# # Balancing the Budget on DoD's Back By: Peter A. Buxbaum | ISN Security Watch
Balancing the Budget on DoD's Back
By: Peter A. Buxbaum | ISN Security Watch
By: Peter A. Buxbaum | ISN Security Watch
Pakistani Nuclear Arms Pose Challenge to U.S. Policy By: David E. Sanger and Eric Schmitt | The New York Times
Pakistani Nuclear Arms Pose Challenge to U.S. Policy
By: David E. Sanger and Eric Schmitt | The New York Times
By: David E. Sanger and Eric Schmitt | The New York Times
Exit the Israel Alibi By: Roger Cohen | The New York Times
Exit the Israel Alibi
By: Roger Cohen | The New York Times
By: Roger Cohen | The New York Times
What Do Israel and Iran Have in Common?
Their hard-liners want Mubarak out.
BY MEIR JAVEDANFAR
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/01/31/what_do_israel_and_iran_have_in_common
Syria’s Assad Talks of Reform as Protests Loom By: Ben Birnbaum | The Washington Times
Syria’s Assad Talks of Reform as Protests Loom
By: Ben Birnbaum | The Washington Times
By: Ben Birnbaum | The Washington Times
Is China Playing a Dual Game in Iran? By: John W. Garver | The Washington Quarterly
Is China Playing a Dual Game in Iran?
By: John W. Garver | The Washington Quarterly
By: John W. Garver | The Washington Quarterly
Mubarak’s Grip on Power Is Shaken By: David D. Kirkpatrick | The New York Times
The new vice president said President Hosni Mubarak authorized him to speak with the opposition, and the army said it would not fire on protesters.
Mid-East contagion fears for Saudi oil fields Ambrose Evans-Pritchard, Telegraph
Mid-East contagion fears for Saudi oil fields Ambrose Evans-Pritchard, Telegraph
Dems, GOP form chorus on Egypt
Dems, GOP form chorus on Egypt
By: JOHN BRESNAHAN and JONATHAN ALLEN
Leaders of both parties follow Obama's lead.
- U.S. wary of what's next for Egypt
- W.H. scrambles to keep up with crisis
- Post-Mubarak transition in works, analyst says
- Kerry urges Mubarak to step down
Egypt: The worst scenarios for W.H.
Egypt: The worst scenarios for W.H.
By: GLENN THRUSH and MIKE ALLEN and LAURA ROZEN
The Obama administration has a lot riding on the resolution of the crisis in Egypt.
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Walker's World: The Egyptian shock by Martin Walker
Walker's World: The Egyptian shock
by Martin Walker Paris (UPI) Jan 31, 2011 Only a fool would seek to predict the course of the Tunisian and now the Egyptian revolutions. But only an idiot would deny that something dramatic and profound is under way in the wider Arab and Islamic worlds and it is far more than just a political phenomenon. First, note the distinction between the Arabic and the Islamic worlds; between the nationalist and the religious forces at work. There is a distinctly nationalist tradition and aspect to the Egyptian drama. Egypt was long the crucial Arab state, the country that led the wars against Israel in 1948, 1956, 1967 and 1973 and also led the peace process at Camp David.
Egypt is special, with its population of 84 million, its tradition of great newspapers like Al-Ahram under Mohamed Heikal, its singers and popular artists who were famed across the Arab world like Umm Kulthum. It has long been the cultural heart of Arabism in a way that Tunisia or Algeria or even Syria have never been. Only Iraq has a cultural tradition of similar depth and influence.
So Tunisia may have started this political phase of the process but Egypt will define its momentum and determine how much further it spreads. The events in Cairo this week are likely to indicate whether the people of Morocco and Syria and the Arabian Peninsula take to the streets in their turn.
 An Egyptian female demonstrator holds up a sign calling for the end of the current regime as she and others gather in Tahrir Square, in central Cairo, on January 31, 2011, on the seventh day of protests against long term President Hosni Mubarak's regime. Photo courtesy AFP. Military calls Egyptian people's demands 'legitimate'Cairo (AFP) Jan 31, 2011 - The Egyptian people's demands are "legitimate," its all-powerful military said on Monday, vowing not to crush mass anti-government protests called for Tuesday. "To the great people of Egypt, your armed forces, acknowledging the legitimate rights of the people ... have not used and will not use force against the Egyptian people," it said in a statement. A military spokesman, quoted by Egyptian state television and the official MENA news agency, added that peaceful freedom of expression was guaranteed for all. "Freedom of expression by peaceful means is everyone's right. The armed forces are aware of and recognise the legitimate demands of the honourable people," it said, in several references to the "legitimacy" of the people's demands. "The presence of the armed forces on the street is for your good and for your safety and security and it will not use force against this great people." Political analyst Diaa Rashwan told AFP: "This means the army has now taken control." For a seventh day, protesters flooded downtown Cairo on Monday, rejecting a new government under President Hosni Mubarak in the biggest challenge ever to his three decades in power. Organisers announced an indefinite general strike and promised a "march of a million" in the capital on Tuesday, and in the second city Alexandria, after a week of revolt in which at least 125 people have been killed and thousands hurt. Egypt viewed US military aid as 'untouchable': cableWashington (AFP) Jan 31, 2011 - Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak and his generals have viewed generous US military aid as an "untouchable" reward for keeping peace with Israel, according to leaked US documents posted by WikiLeaks. The secret diplomatic cable from 2009 underscored the deep ties between the two countries and Washington's difficult position as a week of massive street protests threatened to bring down Mubarak's regime. |
Egypt is special, with its population of 84 million, its tradition of great newspapers like Al-Ahram under Mohamed Heikal, its singers and popular artists who were famed across the Arab world like Umm Kulthum. It has long been the cultural heart of Arabism in a way that Tunisia or Algeria or even Syria have never been. Only Iraq has a cultural tradition of similar depth and influence.
So Tunisia may have started this political phase of the process but Egypt will define its momentum and determine how much further it spreads. The events in Cairo this week are likely to indicate whether the people of Morocco and Syria and the Arabian Peninsula take to the streets in their turn.
Income Inequality In The U.S. Is Worse Than In Egypt
Income Inequality In The U.S. Is Worse Than In Egypt
How Protests in the Middle East Could Choke Our Oil Addiction
A major conflict in the Persian Gulf could interrupt oil supplies and have massive repercussions in the US. READ MORE
Jan Lundberg / Culture Change
Arabs' urge for self-government shouldn't be a surprise .
Michael GersonArabs' urge for self-government shouldn't be a surpriseIf the alternatives to his rule are poor, it is because he worked to make it so.
Millions Called to March Against Mubarak from the CFR
Millions Called to March Against Mubarak
In what is expected to be the largest anti-Mubarak demonstration yet, hundreds of thousands of Egyptian protestors will hold a massive rally in central Cairo (WSJ), as well as smaller events across the country. The BBC reports that crowds are already "much bigger than on the previous seven days of protests," and organizers hope the throngs will surge to over one million. Military and civilian checkpoints have been set up to keep weapons out, and the atmosphere is peaceful (CNN). Activist leaders, including Mohamed ElBaradei, have called on Mubarak to resign by Friday.
The mass gathering comes a day after the military emboldened the opposition movement by stating it would not use force against the protestors. According to a Western diplomat, the decision is believed to be part "choreographed maneuvers by the most senior people around Mr. Mubarak" to prepare for his eventual departure (NYT). In an effort to mitigate the unrest, Mubarak forced his cabinet to resign and offered one of his trusted advisors as a channel for negotiating with the opposition, but leaders of the opposition have stated he must leave the country before any dialogue can start. Despite the vehement demands for his ouster, Mubarak does not intend to announce his resignation (Haaretz).
Analysis:
This issue guide provides a range of background and analysis on the protests in the Middle East and North Africa.
The United States should be quietly pressing for President Mubarak to step aside and allow for a transfer of authority in Egypt--either a constitutional reform process or a caretaker government, says CFR President Richard N. Haass.
In this op-ed for the New York Times, Senator John Kerry discusses how the United States should prepare for a post-Mubarak Egypt.
Foreign Affairs provides a collection of Egypt essays from their archives.
Background:
This CFR Contingency Planning Memo discusses political instability in Egypt and assesses the possibility of a troubled leadership succession or an Islamist push for political power, the implications for the United States, and policy steps the U.S. government might take.
In what is expected to be the largest anti-Mubarak demonstration yet, hundreds of thousands of Egyptian protestors will hold a massive rally in central Cairo (WSJ), as well as smaller events across the country. The BBC reports that crowds are already "much bigger than on the previous seven days of protests," and organizers hope the throngs will surge to over one million. Military and civilian checkpoints have been set up to keep weapons out, and the atmosphere is peaceful (CNN). Activist leaders, including Mohamed ElBaradei, have called on Mubarak to resign by Friday.
The mass gathering comes a day after the military emboldened the opposition movement by stating it would not use force against the protestors. According to a Western diplomat, the decision is believed to be part "choreographed maneuvers by the most senior people around Mr. Mubarak" to prepare for his eventual departure (NYT). In an effort to mitigate the unrest, Mubarak forced his cabinet to resign and offered one of his trusted advisors as a channel for negotiating with the opposition, but leaders of the opposition have stated he must leave the country before any dialogue can start. Despite the vehement demands for his ouster, Mubarak does not intend to announce his resignation (Haaretz).
Analysis:
This issue guide provides a range of background and analysis on the protests in the Middle East and North Africa.
The United States should be quietly pressing for President Mubarak to step aside and allow for a transfer of authority in Egypt--either a constitutional reform process or a caretaker government, says CFR President Richard N. Haass.
In this op-ed for the New York Times, Senator John Kerry discusses how the United States should prepare for a post-Mubarak Egypt.
Foreign Affairs provides a collection of Egypt essays from their archives.
Background:
This CFR Contingency Planning Memo discusses political instability in Egypt and assesses the possibility of a troubled leadership succession or an Islamist push for political power, the implications for the United States, and policy steps the U.S. government might take.
Just What Is The Muslim Brotherhood? By Catherine Herridge
Just What Is The Muslim Brotherhood?
More On Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood
The Muslim Brotherhood: The Future of Egypt? -- Yahoo News/Atlantic Wire
Egypt protesters play down Islamist party's role -- The Guardian
Muslim Brotherhood blames America for the unrest -- The Telegraph
Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas seek to increase role in Egypt : Stratfor -- International Business Times
Muslim Brotherhood Plays Key Role In Egypt Unrest -- NPR (audio)
Egypt arrests Muslim Brotherhood leaders -- Reuters
Egypt Muslim Brotherhood says 34 key members escape prison -- Reuters
With Muslim Brotherhood Set to Join Egypt Protests, Religion’s Role May Grow -- New York Times
Muslim Group Backs Secular Struggle -- Wall Street Journal
WH: No US contact with Muslim Brotherhood -- Washington Post/AP
Muslim Brotherhood: ‘Prepare Egyptians for war with Israel' -- Jerusalem Post
The Muslim Brotherhood may gain power in Egypt by default -- The Guardian
Historian: The First Wave of the Arab Liberation Movement Was Against Colonial Domination; The Second is for More Democracy, Freedom and Human Rights
Former Director of the CIA’s Counter-Terrorism Center: American Policy in the Middle East is Failing Because the U.S. Doesn't Believe in Democracy
Egypt's Antiquities Fall Victim To The Mob
When Zahi Hawass, the secretary general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, came to work at the Egyptian Museum on Saturday, he found that looters had broken in and beheaded two mummies—possibly Tutankhamun's grandparents—and looted the ticket booth. Reports indicate that middle-class Egyptians, the tourism police and later the military secured the museum. But now it appears that many other museum's and storehouses have been looted, along with archaeological sites. A vast, impoverished underclass seems less taken with either the nationalist narrative of Egyptian greatness that stretches back to the pharaohs, or the intrinsic value of antiquities for all humanity, and more intrigued by the possibility of gold and other loot. For his part, Mr. Hawass has now been appointed state minister for antiquities by President Hosni Mubarak.
Read more ....
Egypt sees massive looting of antiquities -- Bikyamasr
Protesters defended Cairo's Egyptian Museum from looters; archeological warehouses raided -- New York Daily News
Egypt: Other face of unrest sees looters plunder country's past -- Scotsman
Details of looting of Cairo and other Egyptian museums -- The Art Newspaper
Haswass Anxiety for Egyptian Antiquities in Attacks on Museums -- Suite101
Egyptian artifacts in danger: antiquities chief -- CBC
Egyptologists fear for relics amid unrest -- CNN
Archaeologists Hold Their Breaths on Status of Egyptian Antiquities -- Science Magazine
Archaeologists assess Tut tragedy -- MSNBC
Egypt crisis: Looters destroy mummies in Cairo museum -- The Telegraph
Egyptian army boosts security at museums and archaeological sites -- The National
Egypt's Treasures Saved from Looters and Vandals -- FOX News
Egypt Treasures Looted, but Public Strikes Back -- National Geographic
Egypt's Human Chain: The Race to Save the Mummies -- Time Magazine
Egypt: military detains 50 at museum -- AP
The Break-In at Cairo's Prized Museum -- Time Magazine
Pictures: Ancient Egyptian Artifacts Damaged in Looting -- National Geographic
The battle for Egypt's past -- CNN
Egypt's museums must be defended -- Jonathan Jones, The Guardian
How Protests in the Middle East Could Choke Our Oil Addiction
How Protests in the Middle East Could Choke Our Oil Addiction
A major conflict in the Persian Gulf could interrupt oil supplies and have massive repercussions in the US.
Winners and Losers From a Pharaoh’s Fall by Patrick J. Buchanan
Making Mahem [sic] by Nick Turse and Tom Engelhard
In his State of the Union address, President Obama lauded two fruits that fell from the tree of government support for the basic research of “cutting-edge scientists and inventors”: the Internet and GPS. Though he didn’t mention it, that wasn’t just any old “government support” and they weren’t just any old “cutting-edge scientists and inventors.” We’re talking about government-supported work for the U.S. military and for the scientists in its employ.
As it happens, both came from work done by the Pentagon’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and both have definitely embedded themselves in our lives. Here’s a third glorious invention that’s just now coming home to roost: the unmanned aerial drone presently fighting a much-boasted-about “covert” war of escalating ferocity in the Pakistani borderlands. The initial work for the earliest of these, the Predator, also came out of DARPA’s intellectual chop shop, and now, Peter Finn of the Washington Post tells us, one of its children, “a bird-size device called the Wasp” (another DARPA project), could soon be flying over your home in Anytown USA, beaming live video to law enforcement agents on the ground.
As it happens, both came from work done by the Pentagon’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and both have definitely embedded themselves in our lives. Here’s a third glorious invention that’s just now coming home to roost: the unmanned aerial drone presently fighting a much-boasted-about “covert” war of escalating ferocity in the Pakistani borderlands. The initial work for the earliest of these, the Predator, also came out of DARPA’s intellectual chop shop, and now, Peter Finn of the Washington Post tells us, one of its children, “a bird-size device called the Wasp” (another DARPA project), could soon be flying over your home in Anytown USA, beaming live video to law enforcement agents on the ground.
Why Washington Clings to a Failed Middle East Strategy
Why Washington Clings to a Failed Middle East Strategy
The death throes of the Mubarak regime in Egypt signal a new level of crisis for a U.S. Middle East strategy that has shown itself over and over again in recent years to be based on nothing more than the illusion of powerAfter food protests, water riots are next
After food protests, water riots are next
Governments in Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco and Yemen have faced protests in recent weeks, part fuelled by rising food costs. Unfortunately, this is a trend that looks set to continue and probably escalate over the next two decades.
* Advertise Things Have To Change In Order To Remain The Same by Paul Craig Roberts
The hypocrisy of the US government is yet again demonstrated in full bore force. The US government invaded Iraq and Afghanistan, laid waste to much of the countries, including entire villages and towns, and massacred untold numbers of civilians in order “to bring democracy” to Iraq and Afghanistan. Now, after days of Egyptians in the streets demanding “Mubarak must go,” the US government remains aligned with its puppet Egyptian ruler, even suggesting that Mubarak, after running a police state for three decades, is the appropriate person to implement democracy in Egypt.
Book Review: A World Without Islam by Jim Miles
Book Review: A World Without Islam
by Jim Miles
February 1, 2011
A World Without Islam. Graham E. Fuller. Little, Brown, and Company, N.Y. 2010.
A title for a book is frequently the set of few words that creates a significant first impression and attracts the purchasers’/readers’ eye in to give more consideration to the work. Fuller’s “A World Without Islam” is an intriguingly successful work, relying in part on an initial attraction to the word Islam, and then to the connotation of a world without Islam. My first thought was that it might be an ill-considered argument by some right wing media pundit looking for their position in the spotlight by denouncing Islam and how good the world would be without it. It was that reaction prompting my extraction of the work from among the dozens on the bookshelf, hoping to find something that I could delve into and find out what kind of arrogant arguments could be made to support that supposition.
As it soon became apparent, the intent of the title was not to see how the world would be if Islam had never existed; rather the intent was more subtle, to examine east-west antagonisms and consider if they would still exist without the Islamic influence. The simple answer is, yes, “we would expect violent reaction from most cultures under similarly stressful or violent conditions.” Even more simply stated on the final page, “a world without Islam does not markedly change the nature of things.”
Egyptian Army Says It Will Not Fire on Protesters
Egyptian Army Says It Will Not Fire on Protesters
Anthony Shadid, David D. Kirkpatrick and Kareem Fahim, The New York Times News Service: "The Egyptian Army announced Monday for the first time that it would not fire on protesters, even as tens of thousands of people gathered in central Liberation Square for a seventh day to shout for the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak. The announcement came after the opposition dismissed Mr. Mubarak's cabinet reshuffle as inadequate and as concerns over violence were heightened by the presence of security police officers clustered near the square's entrances, their first deployment there in three days."
Read the Article
Anthony Shadid, David D. Kirkpatrick and Kareem Fahim, The New York Times News Service: "The Egyptian Army announced Monday for the first time that it would not fire on protesters, even as tens of thousands of people gathered in central Liberation Square for a seventh day to shout for the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak. The announcement came after the opposition dismissed Mr. Mubarak's cabinet reshuffle as inadequate and as concerns over violence were heightened by the presence of security police officers clustered near the square's entrances, their first deployment there in three days."
Read the Article
Obama's Shift on Egypt
Obama's Shift on Egypt
Stephen Zunes, Truthout: "There has been a major shift within the Obama administration over the weekend regarding its policy toward Egypt. President Obama appears to have finally realized that reform within the regime, as the administration had been advocating until Sunday, will not placate the Egyptian people. The administration has yet to issue an explicit call for the authoritarian President Hosni Mubarak to step down, at least in public. However, yesterday, for the first time, Secretary of State Clinton and other officials began calling for 'an orderly transition' to democracy."
Read the Article
Stephen Zunes, Truthout: "There has been a major shift within the Obama administration over the weekend regarding its policy toward Egypt. President Obama appears to have finally realized that reform within the regime, as the administration had been advocating until Sunday, will not placate the Egyptian people. The administration has yet to issue an explicit call for the authoritarian President Hosni Mubarak to step down, at least in public. However, yesterday, for the first time, Secretary of State Clinton and other officials began calling for 'an orderly transition' to democracy."
Read the Article
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