Links 3-4 March 2011
- The Libyan conundrum: Don't let him linger | The Economist
As reluctant as I am about intervention, this is a reasonable compromise: "But if the Libyan regime starts killing people in their thousands—and especially if it uses helicopter gunships or aircraft—diplomatic reluctance should melt away. Too often the world has dithered open-mouthed as evil men have slaughtered Darfuris or Rwandans with impunity. Outsiders, led by the UN, must help Libya’s emerging transitional councils with humanitarian aid. The UN Security Council may yet have to be persuaded to restore peace by invoking the ample power of Chapter VII. And if that proves unattainable, the widest possible coalition of the willing, ideally including Libya’s Arab neighbours, must protect Libyan civilians by arming the opposition and defending them from aerial attack."
- Friends and Foes: An Activist and a Policeman Debate Egypt's Revolution - TIME
- Justice makes for a clear blue sky
A nicely written piece by an Egyptian who was in Tahrir.
- Sub-Saharan Africa censors Mideast protests - Blog - Committee to Protect Journalists
"The rioters’ political demands were more modest than those of their cousins elsewhere in the Arab world. Few called for the monarchy to be replaced or for full-blown democracy. But they want the sultan’s advisory council to have more power. They also want the sultan to sack some unpopular ministers, tackle corruption, give the press more freedom, and curb the influence of rich families close to government."
- Oman: The sultanate suddenly stirs | The Economist
A wonderful place, Oman. "The rioters’ political demands were more modest than those of their cousins elsewhere in the Arab world. Few called for the monarchy to be replaced or for full-blown democracy. But they want the sultan’s advisory council to have more power. They also want the sultan to sack some unpopular ministers, tackle corruption, give the press more freedom, and curb the influence of rich families close to government."
- Yemen's turbulence: Time running out? | The Economist
- Saudi Arabia: The royal house is rattled too | The Economist
A pox on the house of al-Saud!
- Libya's no-fly zone: The military balance | The Economist
Details on the military strengths of Qadhafi's troops and options available.
- Libya: A civil war beckons | The Economist
Some great reporting here.
- Egypt's newly-appointed Prime Minister Essam Sharaf: A profile | Al-Masry Al-Youm: Today's News from Egypt
- Egyptian Sufis to form political party | Al-Masry Al-Youm: Today's News from Egypt
A weird idea, but it's their right.
- Trade & Industry employees say ministry bribed State Security officers | Al-Masry Al-Youm: Today's News from Egypt
This is how Mubarak's Egypt worked: "Employees of Egypt's Trade and Industry Ministry have reportedly sent a notice to Attorney-General Abdel Meguid Mahmoud and the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces alleging that the ministry used to pay 72 high-ranking officers associated with the notorious State Security Investigation Bureau (SSIB) sums of up to LE174,000 each every two months to write positive reports about the ministry's performance."
- Egypt, Country of Clay « The Comics Journal
Interesting Egypt-set Dutch comic.
- ANALYSIS-Tunisia turmoil raises risk of army takeover | News by Country | Reuters
Let's hope not!
- Tunisia Islamist group legal for first time in 30 years
- AFP: Tunisia frees all political prisoners: lawyer
- Britain Plans to Airlift 6,000 Refugees From Libya-Tunisia Border to Egypt - Bloomberg
And why isn't Egypt getting its own refugees out?
- How an unlettered policeman launched a $180 million Ponzi scheme that helped Sudan's ruling Islamists hold onto power in Darfur. (1) - By Dan Morrison - Slate Magazine
First in a series by Dan Morrison on Sudan. Great story.
- After 50-year hiatus, Egypt's first independent labor union is born | Al-Masry Al-Youm: Today's News from Egypt
Historic.
- one word: REVOLUTION: Burning Picture Hosni Benslimane in Berkan, Morocco
Something's happening in Morocco...
- Libya’s Patient Revolutionaries - NYTimes.com
- Gadhafi's Nurse Returns Home, Stays Silent - WSJ.com
Anything is a story these days as long as it involves Qadhafi.
- Al-Ahram Weekly | Opinion | Egypt's fifth president
Very good and funny piece on what Egypt's next president should be like.
- From Libya With Love | Mother Jones
Monitor Group and the academics who took Libya's money.
- Jonathan Wright: Fouad Ajami and the Invasion of Iraq Revisited
A beautiful takedown of that clown Fouad Ajami.
- Egyptian Chronicles: Unforgettable night in the Arab TV history
Good insights by Zeinobia on importance of Ahmed Shafiq's last interview before his resignation.