Friday, January 28, 2011

Egyptians Revolt Against Mubarak

The Egyptian government has cut Internet access to its citizens. Egypt is part of Africa, but culturally, it's Middle Eastern. (Read the State Department's background on Egypt). Egyptians want President Hosni Mubarak and his authoritarian government gone. During Obama's youtube interview yesterday, he said Egypt is an ally and is at peace with Israel, but it needs to move forward with political reform. Obama spoke to students at Cairo University June, 2009. Another Nobel Peace laureate is arrested:
Tens of thousands of Egyptians were in "open revolt" against the government Friday amid violent clashes in Cairo and reports they were in control of central areas of two major cities.
The government announced a military curfew due to begin at 6 p.m. local time (11 a.m. ET) and sent troops onto the capital's streets.
Nobel Peace laureate Mohamed ElBaradei was put under house arrest in Cairo, Egyptian security officials said, just a day after the former U.N. nuclear watchdog had returned to the country to take part in pro-democracy protests. msnbc
The revolt is limited:
So far, despite everything, normal life is continuing in most parts of the country.

The vast majority of Egyptians are too busy scratching a living to join the protests. There is widespread anger and disillusionment with the government, but there are probably not more than a few thousand people actively expressing their anger. That will give some reassurance to the government. BBC


Al Jazeera is the news outlet to watch: