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05 Feb 2011 10:53

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World: In Egyptian “Rock Paper Scissors,” “human chain” beats “tanks”

The protesters, united in a line, effectively blocked the tanks from getting into Tahrir Square. Awesome. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

05 Feb 2011 09:41

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World: Hillary Clinton: Transitioning to democracy can be risky

  • There are risks with the transition to democracy. (The) transition can backslide into just another authoritarian regime. Revolutions have overthrown dictators in the name of democracy, only to see the political process hijacked by new autocrats who use violence, deception, and rigged elections to stay in power, or to advance an agenda of extremism.
  • Secretary of State Hillary Clinton • Regarding the pitfalls that Middle Eastern countries could face as they fight for democracy. This is true, yes, but is she saying it to convince others to be careful, or to dissuade less-committed democracy fighters in the region? source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 1 Comment • Permalink

05 Feb 2011 09:30

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World: Egypt pipeline explosion: Terrorism, sabotage or something else?

  • Was this terrorism or something else? This unexpected pipeline explosion in northern part of the Sinai Peninsula has disrupted the gas flow from Egypt to Jordan, and some suggest it might be meant as a larger message to other Middle East countries (namely Israel). Egypt supplies Israel with nearly 40 percent of its natural gas supply. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

04 Feb 2011 17:04

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World: Experts: Volatile Egypt unlikely to fall into Iran-style regime

  • No representative system can take root in Egypt without the Brotherhood’s participation. But, after spending the last half century battling Islamist political forces, the military leadership will have trouble overcoming its deep disdain for the Brotherhood.
  • Center for Strategic & International Studies’ Middle East program deputy director Haim Malka • Discussing the deep divide between the military and the Muslim Brotherhood which may make Democracy in the region difficult – but at the same time, make it hard for an Iran-style regime to take hold in Egypt. With the military holding so much power over the country, many scholars see such a result as unlikely, due to their lack of power in the region and the dissenters being less radical than those in Iran. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

04 Feb 2011 13:05

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World: Interesting: Some Mubarak-tied officials joining with protesters

  • I am participating in the protests and I have issued statements that support the revolutionists as far as they go.
  • Al Azhar spokesman Mohamed Rafah Tahtawy • Explaining that he’s taking part in the Egypt protests, rather than continuing at their state-sponsored job. Al-Azhar, a Sunni Muslim educational institution, is the largest state-tied religious institution, so it’s a notable switching of sides. But he’s not the only one: Amr Moussa, the Arab League‘s secretary-general and a former Mubarak staffer, was also in the crowd. Signs of fracturing support for Hosni Mubarak are notable since today’s protest is intended to push him out of office. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

03 Feb 2011 21:49

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World: Dueling rallies set stage for conflict in Yemen today

See this shot here? It’s from the anti-government rally held today in Yemen. There was also a pro-government rally across town. We’re guessing less duct tape was involved. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

03 Feb 2011 21:33

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World: Obama administration eyeing exit strategy for Egypt’s Hosni Mubarak

  • last week The Obama administration, despite protests, was showing that it continued to favor Hosni Mubarak as Egyptian leader.
  • this week After huge protests, shows of violence and growing discontent, the Obama administration is now trying to push him out. source
  • » But he doesn’t wanna go: In his interview with Christiane Amanpour today, he said this key phrase to Obama regarding his possible exit: “You don’t understand the Egyptian culture and what would happen if I step down now.” Does it matter that this his how he feels? If Mubarak were to leave, his newly-appointed vice president, Omar Suleiman, would likely take over.
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03 Feb 2011 11:18

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World: United Nations: We’re moving staffers from Egypt temporarily

  • yeah … “Essential staff will remain in Egypt to serve their functions,” according to a statement by the UN.
  • … but Nonessential UN staffers are being shuttled out of Egypt to Cyprus on a temporary basis. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

03 Feb 2011 10:58

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World: Ugh: Starving Egyptians presented with offer to sell souls

  • problem Many people in Egypt aren’t working, aren’t making money, are starving because they can’t work, and don’t have access to money in banks because they’ve been closed due to the protests.
  • solution? Some have been approached with an offer of food and money to turn on the protesters. “I’m hungry, but I won’t sell my soul to eat,” said one angry Egyptian. But others have taken the money. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

03 Feb 2011 10:47

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World: New Egyptian Prime Minister: Sorry about yesterday’s “catastrophe”

  • It has great meaning not to hurt each other, hurt our reputation. Do they want what happened in Tunisia to happen here?
  • Newly-appointed Egyptian Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq • Talking about yesterday’s “catastrophe” in Cairo on Egyptian television. To answer your question, Ahmed: Yeah, we’re pretty sure that’s the idea. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 
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