Links 2-6 February 2013

I have a new piece out for The National on Egypt's crisis, looking at the failure of the political class.

• Assassination of Chokri Belaid sparks unrest across Tunisia
• AP Interview: Morocco Islamists Warn of Unrest - ABC News
  Interview with Adl wal Ihsan political chief Arsalane
• Egypt pope criticizes constitution | News , Middle East | THE DAILY STAR
• Morsi's Guns | Foreign Affairs
  On military backing for Morsi.
• OSI Report into extraorordinary rendition [PDF]
• Egypt: A twilight without a new dawn - Daily News Egypt
  "The state has lost its monopoly over the use of “legitimate” violence."
• Egypt Conflict Alert - International Crisis Group
  A note on the current crisis worth reading.
• Six Questions about Tigantourine « LRB blog
  Hugh Roberts on the Algerian hostage crisis.
• Guest Post: Why We Don’t Support Egypt’s IMF loan | REBEL ECONOMY
  Interview with Ahmad Shokr.
• Drugs: the new alternative economy of West Africa - Le Monde diplomatique
  Important read for Mali context.
• Elite won't share power and wealth - Le Monde diplomatique
  On Bahrain
• “Burkas for babies”: Saudi cleric’s new fatwa causes controversy
  The putrid brains of wahabbis...
• ‘Sheratongate’ reveals Tunisia’s growing pains - FT.com
• Upheaval drains life from Egypt businesses | TribLIVE
• BBC News - Syria opposition chief invited to Moscow
• Assassination attempt against Egypt's Suleiman a mystery two years later - The National
• I Joined Them to Be Able to Do Civil Work | مجموعة الجمهورية للدراسات
  On Syrian militia training.
• Interview with Dr. Ali Khalifa Al Kuwari, author of “The People Want Reform… In Qatar, Too” - Heinrich Böll Foundation
• Saudi preacher gets off light for raping, killing daughter
  Utterly repulsive.