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Middle East Update
Diplomacy Egypt Libya Syria Tunisia Yemen
Trials are starting in Egypt for its deposed leader; Tunisia faces the economic consequences of a transition from a dictatorship; the international community recognizes the opposition in Libya; Syria faces concerns over civil strife; and conditions for the Yemeni people worsen as President Saleh clings to power. These are just some of the complexities facing the region, emphasizing the need for a careful, nimble and calculated approach toward the region from American policy makers and the international community.
Egypt
Reports say ousted Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak is depressed, growing weak and refusing to eat solid foods. Those reports come as Mubarak is about to stand trial next week with his former interior minister, Habib al-Adli. Adli's trial was postponed so he could be tried at the same time as Mubarak. The delays have reinvigorated protests in Tahrir Square.
News
Upcoming Mubarak Trial a Prism for Egypt's Contending Passions
Los Angeles Times, 7/27/11
Egypt Postpones Trial of Former Interior Minister, Aides in Protester Deaths
Washington Post, 7/25/11
BBC, 7/27/11
NPR, 7/27/11
Commentary and Analysis
What Next for Egypt Revolution and Transition to Democracy?
Mark Urban, BBC News, 7/26/11
Muslim Brotherhood Is Deeply Unpopular in Egypt
Max Fisher, Atlantic, 7/26/11
Syria
The brutal crackdown against protesters in Syria continues as concerns about civil strife and sectarian violence grow. The opposition itself is divided and it remains unclear what a post-Assad government might look like.
News
Rights Group: Syrian Troops Kill 8 Near Damascus
AP, 7/27/11
Damascus to Allow Organized Opposition
Wall Street Journal, 7/26/11
Commentary and Analysis
New Loyalties and Old Feuds Collide in Syria
Anthony Shadid, New York Times, 7/24/11
Libya
Britain recognized the Libyan rebel government, the Transitional National Council, and expelled diplomats representing the Qaddafi regime. That recognition comes as Western powers have shown an increased willingness to allow Qaddafi to stay in Libya if he steps down from power. The areas of the country currently controlled by Qaddafi maintain an air of normalcy, but a UN fact-finding mission has found that they are wracked by shortages of food, fuel and cash.
News
Britain Recognizes Libyan Rebels and Expels Gaddafi's London Embassy Staff
The Guardian, 7/27/2011
NATO Flexible on Gaddafi's Future
Washington Post, 7/27/11
NPR, 7/26/2011
UN: Libyan Areas Under Gadhafi Rule Face Shortages
AP, 7/26/11
Commentary and Analysis
Diplomacy Struggles to Break Libya Standoff
William Maclean, Reuters, 7/21/11
Libyan Diplomat Takes On A New, Yet Familiar, Role
Michele Kelemen, NPR, 7/27/11
Yemen
The price of food and water is soaring. Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh continues to reject a deal brokered by the Gulf Cooperation Council that calls for an end to his decades-long tenure in exchange for immunity. As the international community pressures Saleh to step down, the United Nations envoy to Yemen says that, "The solution of this crisis is up to the Yemenis themselves and the solution will not come from outside."
News
Yemeni Military and Tribesmen Push Back Militants in South
New York Times, 7/25/11
EU Tells Yemen to Launch ‘Credible' Transition Plan
AFP, 7/27/11
UN Sees Internal Answer to Yemen
UPI, 7/26/11
Deadly Car Bomb in South Yemen Port of Aden
Al Jazeera English, 7/24/11
Commentary and Analysis
Robert Worth, New York Times Magazine, 7/20/11
Yemen's Dangerous Hunger Crisis
Ellen Knickmeyer, Daily Beast, 7/18/11
Around the Region
News
Tunisia Counts the Cost of Revolution
Financial Times, 7/27/11
Athletes Rally in Baghdad, Demand Release of Iraqi Football Player Detained in Bahrain
Washington Post, 7/27/11
Panel Probes Bahrain Protest Crackdown
Al Jazeera English, 7/25/11
Commentary and Analysis
Civil Society and Democratization in the Arab Gulf Region
Justin Gengler, Mark Tessler, Darwish Al-Emadi and Abdoulaye Diop, Foreign Policy, 7/25/11