One part of the unfolding story of Egypt that has been largely ignored by the press is that the top guns from the Egyptian Military were in Washington for a previously scheduled meeting when the hostilities began. Why is this important? I'm sure that the original agenda was altered when the Egyptian people started their mass demonstrations. We won't know for … [Read more...] about Wild Card – The Egyptian Military
Movie Hog Heaven
The year I was born, Charlie Chaplin filmed a classic scene in "The Gold Rush," boiling and eating his shoe while snowbound. This month, as driveways are piled high, I know just how he felt, consuming not footwear but an overdose of many movies made since then. In the grip of cabin fever, the mind reels at thoughts of lowering the deficit, Winning the Future or understanding … [Read more...] about Movie Hog Heaven
Videos of the Protests In Egypt: Video Roundup
Some videos that reveal the turmoil in Egypt: Protesters clash with riot police in Cairo: Protesters today mourn 15 dead in protests: More on protests today: Rubber bullets and tear gas: AlJazeera English on whether Mubarak is seriously threatened: A reverential video by a protest supporter on the view from the streets: Fox News report on … [Read more...] about Videos of the Protests In Egypt: Video Roundup
Amazing Story: 3-Year Old Calls 911 and Saves Dad’s Life
A truly remarkable, heartwarming story. A 3 year old calls 911 and saves his Dad's life. The story of a brave and smart little boy...and a smart father who taught his son early -- and well. Just listen to the call: … [Read more...] about Amazing Story: 3-Year Old Calls 911 and Saves Dad’s Life
An Interview on the Egyptian Revolt: I’m Worried That Others Aren’t Worried (Guest Voice)
An Interview on the Egyptian Revolt: I'm Worried That Others Aren't Worried By Barry Rubin [Editor's Note: In this interview Barry Rubin interviews himself on the Egypt turmoil.] 1) How do you judge the Egyptian protests? It is tempting to see this as a revolution that will bring down the regime. But Egypt is not Tunisia. And while the demonstrations are passionate it … [Read more...] about An Interview on the Egyptian Revolt: I’m Worried That Others Aren’t Worried (Guest Voice)
UNREST is a Silly Word
Think about it. Much looting in Egypt. Police stations are being ransacked and weapons + ammo stolen. There has been a massive jailbreak freeing, among others, terrorists. I suspect much of the looted weaponry is falling into the hands of terrorists. The populace is not happy with Mubarak's concessions (VP, new PM) but doesn't care for anarchy endangering their homes, … [Read more...] about UNREST is a Silly Word
How’s Obama Doing on Egypt?
How's Obama doing on Egypt? Marc Lynch who writes Foreign Policy's excellent Middle East blog (which we have just added the TMV blogroll under Other Voices) thinks he's doing pretty well and HERE'S WHY. … [Read more...] about How’s Obama Doing on Egypt?
Sometimes, It’s Best Just to Get Out of the Way When History is Rolling Forward
The administration is torn between two competing visions put forward by the foreign policy establishment in Washington of what the US should do and say about the crisis in Egypt, and as is typical, they have chosen to split the difference. This Washington Post editorial represents what might be termed the idealistic faction: The United States should be using … [Read more...] about Sometimes, It’s Best Just to Get Out of the Way When History is Rolling Forward
Videos Speak Louder Than Words In Middle East Conflict
For geo-politically challenged Americans hoping for the next paycheck and seeing no further than our ocean's shorelines, I have a message: Cairo (Egypt, not Ohio) is on fire. You may have seen it live on TV. Keep watching. What's happening in Egypt and a few, for now, other Middle Eastern nations, could come back and bite you on the butt where you stash your wallet. It's … [Read more...] about Videos Speak Louder Than Words In Middle East Conflict
Protests Continue in Egypt As Cabinet Resigns..BREAKING Mubarak Appoints Vice President For First Time (UPDATED) (Plus Egypt News ROUNDUP)
Protests are continuing in Egypt as the cabinet of President Hosni Mubarak has officially resigned. The one tiny problem for Mubarak if he wishes to stop the protests: He himself has not resigned. And it's unlikely the resignation of his cabinet will halt protests aimed at politically deep sixing him and his designated political heir son. Meanwhile, some cell phone service … [Read more...] about Protests Continue in Egypt As Cabinet Resigns..BREAKING Mubarak Appoints Vice President For First Time (UPDATED) (Plus Egypt News ROUNDUP)
Tibetan Leadership Crisis In India: Cash Scandal
Tibetan religious leader in-exile "Karmapa" Ogyen Trinley Dorje, who is likely to replace the Dalai Lama as the world symbol of Tibetan Buddhism and icon of Tibetan aspirations, is now surrounded with a serious controversy. Police in India have raided his monastery near Dharamsala, and allegedly recovered foreign and Indian currency worth nearly Rs 70 million. Dorje, now … [Read more...] about Tibetan Leadership Crisis In India: Cash Scandal
EGYPT, We Have Been Here Before: May As Many As Possible Be Kept Safe
Egyptian people in prayer on bridge today; On the right armored policemen, on the left: The people. High school students on way home 1963 USA … [Read more...] about EGYPT, We Have Been Here Before: May As Many As Possible Be Kept Safe
Hypocrisy, Ayn Rand and the Tea Party
It turns out that the Tea Party's anti-government goddess, Ayn Rand, was feeding at the public trough while she was condemning the trough and those who fed from it. A heavy smoker who refused to believe that smoking causes cancer brings to mind those today who are equally certain there is no such thing as global warming. Unfortunately, Miss Rand was a fatal victim of lung … [Read more...] about Hypocrisy, Ayn Rand and the Tea Party
More Bloodshed in Egypt Could Tarnish Obama
Following Hosni Mubarak’s speech on Friday, the showdown on Egyptian streets has taken a dangerous turn and the White House may have to share the blame if blood flows more freely in coming days. Hours before the speech, army soldiers and tanks fanned through Cairo, Alexandria, Suez and other locations where protesters are gathered despite a permanent curfew and Lt. Gen. … [Read more...] about More Bloodshed in Egypt Could Tarnish Obama
Obama Tells Egypt’s Beset Mubarak That He Must Keep His Promises
As growing protests in Egypt continue to genuinely threaten the stability of the American-allied government of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak more and more with each passing day, President Barack Obama announced that he talked with Egypt's President and told him he must keep his promises and urged him to restore communications sliced off by the Egyptian government. In … [Read more...] about Obama Tells Egypt’s Beset Mubarak That He Must Keep His Promises
Obama’s State of the Union: A ‘Blockbuster He Can’t Afford to Shoot’ (Xinjingbao, People’s Republic of China)
According to Zhang Guoqing of China's state-controlled Xinjingbao [Beijing News], it seems that President Obama has finally woken up to the fact that America's state of development is the most pressing issue for the nation. Unfortunately, the scholar from our largest creditor's state-sanctioned media writes, Obama may be too late, and Americans and the U.S. media aren’t 'buying … [Read more...] about Obama’s State of the Union: A ‘Blockbuster He Can’t Afford to Shoot’ (Xinjingbao, People’s Republic of China)
Will Egypt Be Like Turkey Or Like Iran ?
As we watch the growing protests in the streets of Cairo, Alexandria and other Egyptian cities the question we have to ask is what direction the protests will take and where Egypt is headed in the coming years. I think we all would agree that any sort of Western-style democracy is not likely in the near future. Egypt literally has thousands of years of history with little or no … [Read more...] about Will Egypt Be Like Turkey Or Like Iran ?
Tom Campbell’s Plea to Pardon DeLay—For the Wrong Reasons.
I believe that Tom DeLay is a sleazebag. Tom Campbell believes that Tom DeLay “is not a bad man.” But hey, I am a nobody and Campbell is a famous Texas lawyer who was general counsel of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in the George H.W. Bush administration. However, what a nobody and what a famous lawyer think of Tom DeLay---whether he is a sleazebag or … [Read more...] about Tom Campbell’s Plea to Pardon DeLay—For the Wrong Reasons.
On the Communications Shutdown in Egypt
Jeff Ely on possible unintended consequences from Egypt cutting off communications networks: The decision to get out and protest is a strategic one. It’s privately costly and it pays off only if there is a critical mass of others who make the same commitment. It can be very costly if that critical mass doesn’t materialize. Communications networks affect … [Read more...] about On the Communications Shutdown in Egypt
How Wikileaks May Have Sparked a Popular Uprising in Tunisia That Now Threatens Dictatorships in the Entire Region
As Joe Gandelman reported earlier, the popular revolt in Tunisia against that country's corrupt and brutal leadership is credited with inspiring similar uprisings in other countries in the region, including Egypt, where the government headed for the last 30 years by Hosni Mubarak just took the unprecedented step of shutting off almost all Internet connection within the country. … [Read more...] about How Wikileaks May Have Sparked a Popular Uprising in Tunisia That Now Threatens Dictatorships in the Entire Region