Two to three hours ago police stormed the Pearl roundabout in Manama, Bahrain where peaceful demonstrators are camped out in protest of the dictatorial al-Khalifa family in power there. Al Jazeera English has the story (as usual):
This follows recent crackdowns on protesters by the regimes in Iran and Libya, which were condemned by the United States government. I would not expect such a condemnation from the Obama Administration over Bahrain, however, since the small island nation in the Persian Gulf is a key regional ally and the command base of the US 5th Naval Fleet.
Bahrain is one of the places from which the United States hopes to contain Iranian influence. Losing it as an ally would be a detriment to an already crumbling American hegemony in the region.
Showing posts with label Jan25. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jan25. Show all posts
Feb 14, 2011
Iran Protest Video
People gathering in central Tehran earlier today, only to be driven back by dense clouds of tear gas.
It appears that the Mubarak script is being followed in Iran as internet, social network and cell phone access is apparently being dismantled.
Per BBC World, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has already come out praising the protesters in Iran. It is a lot easier for the Obama Administration to support protesters when they do not threaten the rule of an ally.
It appears that the Mubarak script is being followed in Iran as internet, social network and cell phone access is apparently being dismantled.
Per BBC World, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has already come out praising the protesters in Iran. It is a lot easier for the Obama Administration to support protesters when they do not threaten the rule of an ally.
Feb 11, 2011
The People Have Toppled the Regime
After 3 weeks of protest the regime of Hosni Mubarak has crumbled, fallen under the weight of a united people seeking greater freedom and prosperity for their country. This is certainly a development that will have aftershocks throughout the Middle East. No longer are Middle Eastern dictators and strongmen safe, even if they are supported by western powers.
Some pundits call this the Middle East's Berlin Wall moment. It certainly has deep consequences on the potential for democracy in the Middle East and whether the 'global war on terror' perpetrated by the West against Islam and the Arab people was necessary in the first place.
There is real fear that this revolution might be exported around the region to places with long-standing authoritarian governments like the Assad regime in Syria, the Hashemite Monarchy of Jordan and the Saudi family's control of Saudi Arabia. None of these regimes should be assumed to be safe. After all, just a few months ago the Egyptian government was thought to be one of the most stable and entrenched in the entire region, and now people are dancing in the streets of Cairo celebrating its collapse.
There is also legitimate concern that western powers may try to form a vanguard of democratic revolution from the remnants of the movements in Tunisia and Egypt. I have serious doubts as to whether such an arrangement would be possible, but I have no doubts as to the likelihood of such an plan to fail. The only way democratic movements will work in the Middle East is for the people of these countries to lead themselves to their own freedom.
After the re-establishment of the Shah in Iran in 1953 by the United States and a long history of involvement and interference in the political affairs of the region by colonial powers like Britain and France, the people won't accept revolution pushed by the United States. The most responsible and effective policy seems to be the one Barack Obama has already taken - let the people decide for themselves.
Some pundits call this the Middle East's Berlin Wall moment. It certainly has deep consequences on the potential for democracy in the Middle East and whether the 'global war on terror' perpetrated by the West against Islam and the Arab people was necessary in the first place.
There is real fear that this revolution might be exported around the region to places with long-standing authoritarian governments like the Assad regime in Syria, the Hashemite Monarchy of Jordan and the Saudi family's control of Saudi Arabia. None of these regimes should be assumed to be safe. After all, just a few months ago the Egyptian government was thought to be one of the most stable and entrenched in the entire region, and now people are dancing in the streets of Cairo celebrating its collapse.
There is also legitimate concern that western powers may try to form a vanguard of democratic revolution from the remnants of the movements in Tunisia and Egypt. I have serious doubts as to whether such an arrangement would be possible, but I have no doubts as to the likelihood of such an plan to fail. The only way democratic movements will work in the Middle East is for the people of these countries to lead themselves to their own freedom.
After the re-establishment of the Shah in Iran in 1953 by the United States and a long history of involvement and interference in the political affairs of the region by colonial powers like Britain and France, the people won't accept revolution pushed by the United States. The most responsible and effective policy seems to be the one Barack Obama has already taken - let the people decide for themselves.
The protests continue - peacefully
Opposition leaders are declaring todays protests to be peaceful ones. In addition to occupying Tahrir Square, demonstrators have blocked access to Egypt's parliament building and now occupy streets near the presidential palace and the the upscale neighborhood of Heliopolis.
If there is any violence, it appears that it will have to begin at the hands of the Mubarak regime. The ball is in their court, the sword of Damocles hangs over Egypt.
More later (time for us in EST zone to go to bed) on Egypt and a non-Egypt post. Until then, please enjoy Al Jazeera English's excellent liveblog.
If there is any violence, it appears that it will have to begin at the hands of the Mubarak regime. The ball is in their court, the sword of Damocles hangs over Egypt.
More later (time for us in EST zone to go to bed) on Egypt and a non-Egypt post. Until then, please enjoy Al Jazeera English's excellent liveblog.
Feb 4, 2011
Feb 3, 2011
On Mubarak and Objectivity
Anyone who has read my blog over the past 9 days may have noticed my words becoming increasingly critical of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, while at the same time becoming more and more supportive of the protesters in Cairo and elsewhere.
As you may know, I have aspirations to become a journalist and journalists must be objective. This means that typically we are not to take a particular side in a story, but report empirical facts and represent multiple interpretations of what those facts mean.
I can tell you that it is 28.5 degrees farenheit outside in Lexington, Kentucky right now. I can't tell you whether that is hot or cold to you, because your opinions on what temperature is cold and what temperature is hot differ from mine. I feel like 28.5 degrees is pretty comfortable - not a good temperature for a swim, but much better than the teens or the single digits.
In Egypt, on the other hand, the empirical data that is easier to parse, if more difficult to understand. Protesters are being intimidated. Journalists, Egyptian, Arab, European and American are being jailed, their cameras and recording equipment confiscated. Molitov cocktails are being thrown into crowds. Supporters of President Mubarak and hired thugs are attacking crouds with whips, machetes and clubs. The regime is cracking down and committing atrocities against innocent people.
And President Mubarak has the audacity to claim that chaos and violence would erupt after he steps down - when he is causing the chaos and violence erupting before our very eyes.
For the second day in a row clashes between mostly peaceful anti-regime protesters and the supporters of Hosni Mubarak's dictatorship rage across Egypt.
As a journalist, I do not have to give equal time to someone who commits atrocity. I would not give time to Hitler were he perpetrating the holocaust today. I would not give equal time for Fred Phelps to preach his homophobic bigotry across my blog. And I will no longer give time to a regime that systematically silences its people at best through shutting off the internet and stealing cameras, and at worst through kidnapping, imprisonment, abuse, torture and murder.
That also means that I should be more critical of my own government's lukewarm stance towards the demonstrations in Egypt, even as the Mubarak government cracks down.
Free Egypt.
As you may know, I have aspirations to become a journalist and journalists must be objective. This means that typically we are not to take a particular side in a story, but report empirical facts and represent multiple interpretations of what those facts mean.
I can tell you that it is 28.5 degrees farenheit outside in Lexington, Kentucky right now. I can't tell you whether that is hot or cold to you, because your opinions on what temperature is cold and what temperature is hot differ from mine. I feel like 28.5 degrees is pretty comfortable - not a good temperature for a swim, but much better than the teens or the single digits.
In Egypt, on the other hand, the empirical data that is easier to parse, if more difficult to understand. Protesters are being intimidated. Journalists, Egyptian, Arab, European and American are being jailed, their cameras and recording equipment confiscated. Molitov cocktails are being thrown into crowds. Supporters of President Mubarak and hired thugs are attacking crouds with whips, machetes and clubs. The regime is cracking down and committing atrocities against innocent people.
And President Mubarak has the audacity to claim that chaos and violence would erupt after he steps down - when he is causing the chaos and violence erupting before our very eyes.
For the second day in a row clashes between mostly peaceful anti-regime protesters and the supporters of Hosni Mubarak's dictatorship rage across Egypt.
As a journalist, I do not have to give equal time to someone who commits atrocity. I would not give time to Hitler were he perpetrating the holocaust today. I would not give equal time for Fred Phelps to preach his homophobic bigotry across my blog. And I will no longer give time to a regime that systematically silences its people at best through shutting off the internet and stealing cameras, and at worst through kidnapping, imprisonment, abuse, torture and murder.
That also means that I should be more critical of my own government's lukewarm stance towards the demonstrations in Egypt, even as the Mubarak government cracks down.
Free Egypt.
Feb 2, 2011
Clashes rage in Tahrir Square - Middle East - Al Jazeera English
Clashes rage in Tahrir Square - Middle East - Al Jazeera English
Every indication on the ground is that these 'counter protesters' are actually thugs hired and paid by the government of Hosni Mubarak. Earlier today they erupted in a cavalry charge across the main protest area in Tahrir square on horseback and camel back attacking the mostly peaceful demonstrators there. Not only are they whipping and immolating protesters in Tahrir Square, but they are also throwing molitov cocktails into the museums and destroying the cultural heritage of Egypt.
Again, this is not really a segment of the population demonstrating in support of Mubarak, according to international media and protesters on the ground - these are men hired to create chaos and injury to the population of Egypt.
Reports are out that pro-Mubarak groups are paying counter-protesters as much as two weeks worth of wages to take to the streets and act against the pro-democracy rallies in Cairo, Alexandria and Suez.
Every indication on the ground is that these 'counter protesters' are actually thugs hired and paid by the government of Hosni Mubarak. Earlier today they erupted in a cavalry charge across the main protest area in Tahrir square on horseback and camel back attacking the mostly peaceful demonstrators there. Not only are they whipping and immolating protesters in Tahrir Square, but they are also throwing molitov cocktails into the museums and destroying the cultural heritage of Egypt.
Again, this is not really a segment of the population demonstrating in support of Mubarak, according to international media and protesters on the ground - these are men hired to create chaos and injury to the population of Egypt.
Reports are out that pro-Mubarak groups are paying counter-protesters as much as two weeks worth of wages to take to the streets and act against the pro-democracy rallies in Cairo, Alexandria and Suez.
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