The 1951 Libyan flag currently being used by "Free" Libyan forces
(Image by Martin Grieve on the Flags of the World Website)
"Moroccan single mother burns herself in protest" Reuters (Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011) - Beyond the tragedy, this is significant because it is a case of self-immolation by a woman, the first so far in the 2011 disturbances, but also because it happened in Morocco, a nation-state that so far has seemed more immune from disruption than many of its regional peers.
Martin Chulov "Libyan city dubbed 'Free Bengazi' as anti-Gaddafi forces take control" The Guardian (Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011) - Self-definition of rebel forces seems to be emerging in Libya - the use of "Free" to indicate which cowboy hats rebels are wearing, the use of the pre-Gaddahi regime Libyan flag - nothing too dramatic, but interesting. A lot here, including some clear evidence that the military is fractured and that mercs are in situ.
Faith Karimi "Cameroonians plan anti-government protests" CNN (Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011) - Potentially very important - snowball/demonstration effect in an Muslim-minority, Sub-Saharan African state. Something to watch carefully.
Muhammad Jamjoom "Yemen president calls for new national unity government" CNN (Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011) - Yemen keeps heating up even as Saleh keeps trying to negotiate his continued preeminence.
"Egypt swears in new ministers" Al Jazeera (Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011) - The headline is less important, possibly, than the fact that several out-regimers are sworn into the new cabinet - prompting the disdain of disestablishmentarians, including the important Muslim Brotherhood.
"Yemen MPs resign over violence" Al Jazeera (Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011) - Splits in the ruling party. . .
"Bahrain frees political prisoners" Al Jazeera (Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011) - About 50, not quite half are Shi'a actvitists - but it is a move?
"Saudi king announces new benefits" Al Jazeera (Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011) - Totaling about US$ 11 billion - another attempt at the bribery method - and it might work, given that the Kingdom is comparatively stable still. I look forward to reading some much more in-depth coverage of this in the next couple of days.
Jacqueline Head "The Arab world's 1989 revolution?" Al Jazeera (Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011) - I missed this one when it came out (cursed hospitals with no internet) but it definitely is worth a look-see - not in-depth, but penetrating discussion.
Andres Cala "Europe rethinks dependence on Libyan oil" Christian Science Monitor (Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011) - Tardy.
Peter Grier "Why Qaddafi is losing parts of Libya" Christian Science Monitor (Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011) - A geography lesson on Libya that is very important, though perhaps a little too apocalyptic in comparing Libya to Yugoslavia when Czechoslovakia might just as easily be an alternative. Of course, so might Libya.
Jane Arraf "Iraq attempts to diffuse huge protest planned for Friday" Christian Science Monitor (Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011) - Demonstration effect in a state that is already transitioning to democracy. . .
Deborah Amos "Nearby Uprisings Stoke Saudi Political Passions" NPR (Wednesday, Februrary 23rd, 2011) - A really, really great article, very nuanced, absolutely a must read to get a handle on what is happening in the Kingdom - also, it quotes a very, very different number on the King's benefit plan: US$ 35 billion - wow.
"Don't count your dominoes: Will other north African countries explode too?" The Economist (Thursday, February 17th, 2011) - A discussion of the gravity factors that might prevent the entire subregion of North Africa from following suit with Tunisia and Egypt - and a total misuse of the concept of domino theory. Clearly, tomorrow, I have a blog entry to write.
"Oil pressure rising" The Economist (Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011) - Oil prices are gonna' rise, probably a lot, in the next few months (and probably years) in response to real and perceived threats to the supply. Geopolitics may finally make that electric car and public transportation something to consider, SUV moms.
"Will Arab revolt spread to Palestinian territories?" BBC (Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011) - Complex interstate politics are slamming head-first into the already recently destabilized Palestinian Authority, making this an incredibly important question with no clear answer . . . and few prospects of a happy (immediate, at least) outcome.
Okay, that should sate for a little while. I am turning in. Night kids.
No comments:
Post a Comment