Middle East

What’s Happening in Egypt?

"Former US Ambassador and neocon John Bolton has endorsed the Egyptian coup and the insightful libertarian Lew Rockwell believes nothing good can come of it for Egyptians. Below, we ask whether this is one of the greatest diplomatic reversals for the US in modern times ... then add in our conclusion that 'we don't know.' What seems fairly certain is that the Muslim Brotherhood would not have obtained power without US backing and now they are out of power. What takes place over the next few days and weeks should clarify this tale. We hope whatever happens will benefit Egyptians, who have seen nothing but bloody turmoil and despotism for decades." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWhat’s Happening in Egypt?

Iran’s Rouhani urges end to meddling in private lives

"President-elect Hassan Rouhani called on Wednesday for the government and powerful clergy to end interference in the private lives of the Iranian people, free up Internet access and allow state media to be more open about Iran's problems. Rouhani's comments began to flesh out his message of moderation at home and better relations abroad that contributed to his surprise election victory last month. His election prompted a huge outpouring of support from Iranians hungry for change after eight years of domestic security crackdowns and international confrontation under hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIran’s Rouhani urges end to meddling in private lives

Egyptian army detains ousted president Mohamed Morsi, rounds up Brotherhood leaders

"Morsi’s defence minister, armed forces chief General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, announced Morsi’s overthrow on state television on Wednesday, even as police began rounding up key Morsi aides and leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood. Warrants have been issued for the arrest of a total of 300 Brotherhood officials, state media reported. US President Barack Obama said he was 'deeply concerned' over Morsi’s ouster and urged the army to refrain to 'arbitrary arrests' of Morsi and his supporters. In May, Washington approved $1.3 billion in military aid to Egypt. That was now under review, said Obama, as he called for a swift return to democratic rule." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingEgyptian army detains ousted president Mohamed Morsi, rounds up Brotherhood leaders

Senator Patrick Leahy: ‘Our law is clear,’ U.S. must cut off aid to Egypt

"'Our law is clear: U.S. aid is cut off when a democratically elected government is deposed by military coup or decree,' Leahy added. 'As we work on the new budget, my committee also will review future aid to the Egyptian government as we wait for a clearer picture. As the world’s oldest democracy, this is a time to reaffirm our commitment to the principle that transfers of power should be by the ballot, not by force of arms.' He cited the Fiscal Year 2012 State Department And Foreign Operations Appropriations Act, which prohibits the U.S. from sending funds to the government of a country whose democratically-elected leader has been deposed by the military." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSenator Patrick Leahy: ‘Our law is clear,’ U.S. must cut off aid to Egypt

Ouster of Egypt’s Morsi creates headache for the U.S.

"Time and again in recent months, Washington has failed to articulate a strong response to controversial moves by Morsi to consolidate power and his reluctance to introduce much-needed economic reforms, content to observe that democracy takes time. After days of unrest and only hours before Morsi was ousted, State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki on Wednesday finally spoke out to criticize Morsi, saying he needed to do more to address the Egyptian people’s concerns. In a telling sign, she also refused to take issue with the military, or to say whether an army takeover would amount to a coup, repeatedly stressing that 'we don’t take sides, as you know.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingOuster of Egypt’s Morsi creates headache for the U.S.

16-year-old student in Turkey turns bananas into plastic

"There’s nothing slippery about Elif Bilgin’s idea of using banana peels as a substitute for old-school petroleum-based plastics. The 16-year-old student from Istanbul spent two years perfecting a way to make a bioplastic out of discarded banana peels that could, in turn, be used for the electrical insulation of cables. In her research, Bilgin — who says 'science is my calling' — determined that if starch and cellulose from such food waste as mango skins can be used to make bioplastics, then banana peels ought to do the trick, too." Continue reading →

Continue Reading16-year-old student in Turkey turns bananas into plastic

Egypt’s army ‘ready to die’ to protect against ‘any terrorist, radical or fool’

"Egypt’s high command said on Wednesday the army was ready to die to defend Egypt’s people against terrorists and fools, in a response to Islamist President Mohamed Mursi that was headlined 'The Final Hours' on the official Facebook page of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF). Issued three hours after Mursi appeared on television to reject an ultimatum from Sisi that he share power with his opponents or face a military solution by 10:00 a.m. EDT (1500 GMT), a military source said the statement made clear that the armed forces would not abandon their demands." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingEgypt’s army ‘ready to die’ to protect against ‘any terrorist, radical or fool’

Cheers erupt as Egyptian president removed and constitution suspended by military

"The head of Egypt’s armed forces issued a declaration on Wednesday suspending the constitution and appointing the head of the constitutional court as interim head of state. In a televised broadcast, flanked by military leaders, religious authorities and political figures, General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi effectively declared the removal of elected Islamist President Mohamed Mursi. Sisi called for presidential and parliamentary elections, a panel to review the constitution and a national reconciliation committee that would include youth movements. He said the roadmap had been agreed by a range of political groups." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCheers erupt as Egyptian president removed and constitution suspended by military

Hope mixes with fear as Egyptian army prepares to overthrow Morsi

"The army ultimatum has bred relief among many Egyptians, weary of what they see as Mursi’s clumsy, power-grasping rule, and who see the army as the only national institution capable of getting a chaotic revolutionary transition back on track. Signs of Egypt’s latest political uproar pop up everywhere downtown. Vendors selling socks and jewelry have supplemented their wares with small Egyptian flags. Guy Fawkes masks – an emblem of protest against authority around the world – cover store mannequins. Anti-Mursi chants break out on street corners." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingHope mixes with fear as Egyptian army prepares to overthrow Morsi

Egyptian ministers resign in wave as Army deadline nears

"Egyptian foreign minister Kamel Amr became the sixth minister to tender his resignation from the Morsi government. Amr follows the ministers for tourism, environment, communications and legal affairs and water utilities. Morsi, along with the Egyptian prime minister, met with the head of the armed forces for a second day on Tuesday. Egypt’s state news agency MENA reported that millions have staged demonstrations against President Mohamed Morsi’s government since Sunday. Prior to Amr’s resignation, the other four ministers had stated that their move came as an act of 'solidarity with the people’s demand to overthrow the regime.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingEgyptian ministers resign in wave as Army deadline nears