EGYPT
• We're used to seeing history repeat itself. We're used to people not learning lessons from ancient history. But not learning lessons from two weeks ago?! In the fine line Obama is attempting to walk from last night's speech, he's putting himself in a no-win situation. Mubarak isn't going to last forever; at the rate we're going, he may not last until the next Friday prayers. So if you know your guy isn't going to be your guy for long, it's time to (if not cut him loose) at least be publicly supportive of the protestors.
No matter what happens, the other side of this transition is going to be chaotic, frightening, and confusing. If we lend a little support, at least it will mitigate some of the blow-back we're going to get after supporting Mubarak for years and years.
• Curfew? What curfew? Egyptians are holding their curfew in even lower regard than the Tunisians did. In Cairo, Alexandria, Suez, the reports indicate that the soldiers are not only unwilling to fire, they're admitting that the only way this ends is for Mubarak to step down.
TUNISIA
• The General hits the big time! A big rally and concert planned for central Tunis will feature the rapper whose arrest was a turning point in the capital city protests in early January.
• This sort of cracks me up. I desperately hope that Mubarak falls tomorrow, because Rashid el-Ghannouchi has planned his big, melodramatic return to Tunisia for tomorrow. He was counting on the world press covering his triumphant return, and it would be just about right if events got ahead of him, too, as he carpetbags on the people's revolution.
• Tunisia's open for business! That's what the central banking chief says!
• The US is easing its travel advisory for Tunisia.
• Given the Hairdresser's current condition, the Arab Women's League will be transferring its presidency...
JORDAN
• Is Jordan next? One of my students, who lived in Jordan until 2002, claims the family back home say yes. Reports indicate large protests in Amman, and the same food price pressures are eating away at the Jordanian regime.
• We're used to seeing history repeat itself. We're used to people not learning lessons from ancient history. But not learning lessons from two weeks ago?! In the fine line Obama is attempting to walk from last night's speech, he's putting himself in a no-win situation. Mubarak isn't going to last forever; at the rate we're going, he may not last until the next Friday prayers. So if you know your guy isn't going to be your guy for long, it's time to (if not cut him loose) at least be publicly supportive of the protestors.
No matter what happens, the other side of this transition is going to be chaotic, frightening, and confusing. If we lend a little support, at least it will mitigate some of the blow-back we're going to get after supporting Mubarak for years and years.
• Curfew? What curfew? Egyptians are holding their curfew in even lower regard than the Tunisians did. In Cairo, Alexandria, Suez, the reports indicate that the soldiers are not only unwilling to fire, they're admitting that the only way this ends is for Mubarak to step down.
TUNISIA
• The General hits the big time! A big rally and concert planned for central Tunis will feature the rapper whose arrest was a turning point in the capital city protests in early January.
• This sort of cracks me up. I desperately hope that Mubarak falls tomorrow, because Rashid el-Ghannouchi has planned his big, melodramatic return to Tunisia for tomorrow. He was counting on the world press covering his triumphant return, and it would be just about right if events got ahead of him, too, as he carpetbags on the people's revolution.
• Tunisia's open for business! That's what the central banking chief says!
• The US is easing its travel advisory for Tunisia.
• Given the Hairdresser's current condition, the Arab Women's League will be transferring its presidency...
JORDAN
• Is Jordan next? One of my students, who lived in Jordan until 2002, claims the family back home say yes. Reports indicate large protests in Amman, and the same food price pressures are eating away at the Jordanian regime.
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