Revolution in the Middle East - was: Egypt's Peaceful Revolution

[Sonic Youth]

Ah, spring. A time for rebirth and joyous renewal... not.

Bahrain hospitals under siege as soldiers maintain Manama crackdown
Doctors arrested or prevented from working as martial law in tiny Gulf state approaches second week
The Guardian

Bahrain's two main hospitals remain surrounded by masked soldiers despite demands from America that the kingdom must ease its violent crackdown on demonstrators and the medical workers treating them.

Soldiers also continue to patrol all main roads in the capital Manama and have cordoned off access to the former hub of the protest movement, Pearl Roundabout, which was destroyed under government orders on Friday, denying the restive demonstrators a focal point.

The tiny Gulf state has the feel of a nation under siege as it approaches a second week of martial law imposed for three months by its besieged rulers. In addition to the troop presence, neighbourhoods remain largely empty; large, glitzy shopping malls have been virtually abandoned and helicopters regularly buzz over the debris-strewn scenes of recent street clashes.

Hospitals, particularly the Salmaniya medical clinic near the centre of town, have received extra attention, largely because of the significance they have taken on since the protests began in January.

As well as being used to treat hundreds of casualties, nearly all of them unarmed protesters, the hospitals served as rallying points for protesters, who took refuge from riot police in the relative safety of their grounds.

Salmaniya was one of several hospitals attacked by security forces during the week. Their entrances clearly show scuffs from rubber bullets and teargas canisters, as well as sound grenades were found well inside hospital grounds.

Images of thousands of protesters, joined by doctors with bullhorns and outraged ambulance drivers, lionised the anti-government movement and contributed greatly to the regime's public relations woes outside Bahrain.

Several doctors have been arrested, among them a leading surgeon, Ali al-Ikri, who has been accused of having contact with foreign agents. Others claim to have been intimidated by security forces and prevented from leaving their homes.

"I live in a neighbourhood surrounded by colonels and senior officers," said one doctor, who did not want to give her name. "If I go out I will be followed. There is a real risk to my safety and those of my colleagues. I have been prevented from returning to work. When I left the hospital, it was in utter chaos."

Kuwait is to send a medical team of 40 specialists to be deployed inside the hospitals as the government looks for new ways to manage the vehement anti-regime movement.

"This is about us being sidelined and them getting in people who will stay on message," said another doctor. "I know for a fact that the wards will be tidied up and some of the patients moved. The Kuwaitis will report back in good faith that all is in order and that will be the official narrative."

The US state department demanded on Friday that attacks on hospitals stop. "We call on security forces to cease violence, particularly on medical facilities and personnel," it said.

The US secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, said the solution to the country's crisis could only come through political dialogue. "We have made clear that security alone cannot resolve the challenges facing Bahrain," Clinton told reporters in Paris. "Violence is not the answer; a political process is."

In the face of sustained international criticism, the strategy of the ruling dynasty has been to make Bahrain's crisis a regional problem, by inviting Gulf forces into the kingdom. Hundreds of troops from the six-nation Gulf Co-operation Council alliance were dispatched to Bahrain last week. Qatar said it had deployed troops and Kuwait has sent navy ships to patrol waters near Bahrain, where a maritime curfew has been ordered from 6pm-6am.

However, Saudi Arabia continues to take a regional lead in the crisis, insisting on a hard line against the predominantly Shia Muslim protesters who have defied the authority of the Riyadh-backed Sunni dynasty for two deeply destabilising months.

Regional repercussions continue, though, with new demonstrations in Iraq on Saturday against the Saudi role and strident criticism from Shia Islamic clerics, which have sharply raised the sectarian stakes in Bahrain, a majority Shia Muslim state.

At least 70% of Bahrainis are Shias. The establishment, however, is almost exclusively Sunni. The Shias have long complained that the status quo discriminates against them, denying them opportunities and access to decision-making.

"We are not waging war," said Bahrain's foreign minister, Sheikh Khalid bin-Ahmed al-Khalifa. "We are restoring law and order. It is a very volatile situation and in volatile situations you expect violence to happen."

A fourth Bahraini protester died on Saturday from wounds he suffered earlier in the week.

Relatives of another victim, IT technician Ahmed Farhan, said they saw him being executed as he lay prostrate on a street in the suburb of Sitra.

"They killed him in cold blood," said Ali Hassan Ali, a physical education teacher. "I was standing near him when he was shot. He fell, they chased us away and shot him in the head at point-blank rage with a bird-shot gun."

The victim's injuries were consistent with being shot in the head from close range.

[Sonic Youth]

Kucinich, who wanted to bring impeachment articles against both former President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney over Iraq — only to be blocked by his own leadership — asked why the U.S. missile strikes aren’t impeachable offenses.

Uh-oh. I see this potentially explosive political scandal gaining huge traction. Of about two inches.



Edited By Sonic Youth on 1300654404

[Greg]

Liberal Democrats in uproar over Libya action

By JOHN BRESNAHAN & JONATHAN ALLEN | 3/19/11 4:27 PM EDT

A hard-core group of liberal House Democrats is questioning the constitutionality of U.S. missile strikes against Libya, with one lawmaker raising the prospect of impeachment during a Democratic Caucus conference call on Saturday.

Reps. Jerrold Nadler (N.Y.), Donna Edwards (Md.), Mike Capuano (Mass.), Dennis Kucinich (Ohio), Maxine Waters (Calif.), Rob Andrews (N.J.), Sheila Jackson Lee (Texas), Barbara Lee (Calif.) and Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D.C.) “all strongly raised objections to the constitutionality of the president’s actions” during that call, said two Democratic lawmakers who took part.

Kucinich, who wanted to bring impeachment articles against both former President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney over Iraq — only to be blocked by his own leadership — asked why the U.S. missile strikes aren’t impeachable offenses.

Kucinich also questioned why Democratic leaders didn’t object when President Barack Obama told them of his plan for American participation in enforcing the Libyan no-fly zone during a White House Situation Room meeting on Friday, sources told POLITICO.

And liberals fumed that Congress hadn’t been formally consulted before the attack and expressed concern that it would lead to a third U.S. war in the Muslim world.

While other Democratic lawmakers have publicly backed Obama — including House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and top members of the Armed Services, Foreign Affairs and Intelligence committees — the objections from a vocal group of anti-war Democrats on Capitol Hill could become a political problem for Obama, especially if “Operation Odyssey Dawn” fails to topple Libyan leader Muammar Qadhafi, leads to significant American casualties, or provokes a wider conflict in the troubled region of North Africa.

(Pelosi did not participate in Saturday’s call; she is in Afghanistan to meet with U.S. military and diplomatic officials.)

U.S. warships fired more than 100 Tomahawk cruise missles on Saturday in a bid to knock out Libya’s air-defense systems, targeting command-and-control and radar units near Tripoli, the Libyan capital, and the city of Misurata, according to Pentagon officials and media reports. French aircraft attacked armored units loyal to Qadhafi around the city of Benghazi after they ignored international calls for a cease-fire.

Saturday’s conference call was organized by Rep. John Larson (Conn.), chairman of the Democratic Caucus and the fourth-highest ranking party leader. Larson has called for Obama to seek congressional approval before committing the United States to any anti-Qadhafi military operation.

“They consulted the Arab League. They consulted the United Nations. They did not consult the United States Congress,” one Democrat lawmaker said of the White House. “They’re creating wreckage, and they can’t obviate that by saying there are no boots on the ground. … There aren’t boots on the ground; there are Tomahawks in the air.”. . .





http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0311/51595.html

[Greg]

UN OKs 'all necessary measures,' no-fly zone to protect Libyans
Military action could follow within hours; Gadhafi warns of harsh attack reprisals

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42124388/ns/world_news-mideastn_africa/

[OscarGuy]

It was only a matter of time before Saudi Arabia was targeted...now, if only the protests increase...and being fired upon by your own government may encourage many more to join the cause. The downfall of the Saudi rules would be a great thing, IMO.

[Greg]

Saudi police open fire at protest
By SARAH EL DEEB
The Associated Press
Thursday, March 10, 2011; 1:36 PM

CAIRO -- Saudi police have opened fire at a rally in the kingdom's east in an apparent escalation of efforts to stop planned protests.

Government officials have warned they will take strong action if activists take to the streets after increasing calls for large protests around the oil-rich kingdom to press for democratic reforms.

A witness in the eastern city of Qatif says gunfire and stun grenades were fired at several hundred protesters marching in the city streets Thursday. The witness, speaking on condition of anonymity because he feared government reprisal, said police in the area opened fire. The witness saw at least one protester injured.


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn....69.html

[Greg]

Barack Obama raises pressure on Gaddafi as no-fly zone gains support
Libyan leader told the US and Nato are weighing up a raft of military options, including arming the rebel forces


http://www.guardian.co.uk/world....gaddafi

[Sonic Youth]

Here we go again. The neo-cons are smiling.

Kerry: A Libyan no-fly zone is not intervention
Democrat, Republican Senators differ on whether it is in best interests of U.S. for Qaddafi to go

(CBS News) The Obama Administration has been torn over whether to intervene in Libya as leader Muammar Qaddafi continues to violently suppress rebel forces. Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman John Kerry, D-Mass., today said setting up a controversial no-fly zone over the country would not cross the line into military intervention.

"The last thing we want to think about is any kind of military intervention. And I don't consider the no-fly zone stepping over that line," Kerry said on CBS' "Face the Nation" Sunday.

"We don't want [U.S.] troops on the ground. [The rebels] don't want [U.S.] troops on the ground. That would be counterproductive," Kerry told CBS News chief Washington correspondent Bob Schieffer. But he said that the U.S. ought to be prepared to set up a no-fly zone (although there would be no grounds to implement it until asked by U.S. allies).

A no-fly zone is a territory over which aircraft are not permitted to fly, often set up as a demilitarized zone and enforced by military means.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., also said a no-fly zone is worth considering.

But the idea of a no-fly zone is controversial as the Obama administration seems to be of two minds about what to do in Libya - stand by while casualties mount, or aid rebel forces to overthrow Qaddafi?

Schieffer noted that Secretary of Defense Robert Gates has been skeptical of a no-fly zone, saying it is harder to implement than one might think. "[Gates] says basically that's going to war, because he says if you're going to have a no-fly zone, you've got to go in there and bomb their anti-aircraft installations there, that you're going to be bombing the country," Schieffer said.

"That's actually not the only option for what one could do," Kerry replied. "One could crater the airports and the runways and leave them incapable of using them for a period of time." He said a no-fly zone would not amount to war, or even military intervention.

New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman, who also appeared on "Face the Nation," disagreed, saying that setting up a no-fly zone would be an act of war, agreeing with Gates. "You would need U.N. approval if you wanted to do it under that legitimate cover. The Russians and the Chinese would be unlikely to go along with that," Friedman said.

Friedman is very skeptical of any kind of military intervention at this point in the Libyan civil war. "Something that was so important about the uprising in Tunisia and Egypt was that it was owned by the people who did it. ... You don't want to take the sense of ownership away from whoever is uprising there in Libya," Friedman said.

But as the U.S. weighs its options, pressure is mounting as oil prices spike on international markets because Libya's oil production has been crippled by the civil war. White House chief of staff Bill Daley said the Obama Administration is considering using oil from the strategic oil reserve to bring down the price of gasoline.

"That would rank in top five worst ideas of 2011 so far," Friedman said. "I think that there's one thing we should finally be doing is using this opportunity to have a credible energy policy that begins to reduce our addiction to oil."

Schieffer asked Friedman whether the rebellion across the Arab nations will spread to the world's biggest oil exporter, Saudi Arabia.

"I do. I'll tell you why, Bob. What happened in Egypt was authentic. It was based on real principles of wanting to own your own future," Friedman said. "That is going to spread. I don't know when. I don't know how. But Saudi Arabia will not be immune to that process."

Kerry also believes the spirit of reform and rebellion happening across the Arab region is in the strategic national interest of the U.S., especially in the fight against terrorism.

"If we have emerging democracies - people who come out who say to al Qaeda, 'Look, we didn't have one suicide bomber, we didn't have one violent, sort of explosive acts against the West or somebody to make a dramatic statement - we took matters into our own hands with respect to our own government and we have produced change.'

"I think if these countries do reform and they do give a greater voice to their people, and there is greater opportunity - economic opportunity - and people are enfranchised as a result, Bob - that is an enormous consequence to all of us with respect to relationships in the Mideast, to the War on Terror as we have known it and it might be defined in the future," Kerry said.

Kerry said the Obama Administration has done "a terrific job" in demanding that Qaddafi step down. He believes the leader, who has been in power since a military coup in 1969, is only fighting desperately to cling onto rule, and sooner or later his power will crumble.

"I believe that he's cornered, but he obviously remains lethal," Kerry said.

But McConnell was not so sure that Qaddafi's ouster would benefit U.S. interests.

"I think we need to make sure who we're dealing with here," McConnell said. "I'm not sure if it's our vital interest for him to go. But I think we certainly ought to look for ways to be helpful to those who are seeking to overthrow dictators."

Friedman agreed with McConnell that although Qaddafi needs to step down, the U.S. doesn't really know who the rebels are yet. "I'd be very wary about jumping into the middle of this right now," he said.

Qaddafi forces are launching counter attacks today. Although rebel forces have been advancing westward toward the capital, Tripoli, the military retook the town of Bin Jawad, about 110 miles east of Qaddafi's stronghold city of Sirte.

CBS News correspondent Mark Phillips, who's in Tripoli, said the situation is at a sort of stale mate at the moment, with neither of the forces able to completely knock the other out. Both sides have claimed victory.

Kerry said there could be a stand-off period for some time. But he believes the opposition is only beginning to gather and collect its strength, and that the stale mate will end.

Neither McConnell nor Kerry want the U.S. to intervene militarily, but Kerry said there are other ways, besides preparing for a no-fly zone, for the U.S. to help.

"I assume that a lot of weapons are going to find their way there from one means or another over the course of the next week." Kerry said.

[Sonic Youth]

Usher, Mariah, Beyonce to donate Gadhafi money
By NEKESA MUMBI MOODY

NEW YORK (AP) - Usher said Friday he's "sincerely troubled" to learn he appeared at a concert in St. Bart's linked to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi's family and plans donate his concert fee to human rights organizations.

Earlier this week, Mariah Carey, Beyonce and Nelly Furtado all renounced their performances at private concerts later revealed to be linked to the family of Gadhafi, whose country is openly revolting against him and who faces an investigation for possible war crimes.

All the singers have promised to give their fees to charity or said they have already done so.

Usher did not perform but was paid to appear at the private concert featuring Beyonce in 2009.

"I am sincerely troubled to learn about the circumstances surrounding the Nikki Beach St. Bart's event that took place on New Year's Eve 2009, " he said in a statement released to The Associated Press.

"I will be donating all of my personal proceeds from that event to various human rights organizations."

The statement said Usher made a contribution Friday to Amnesty International, which the organization confirmed. The group said Usher requested the donation amount be private.

"Amnesty International activists are working globally to press the international community to support Middle East activists ... Usher's donation will support this urgent work to counter the brutal conditions like those imposed by Gadhafi and other leaders across the Middle East," a statement from the organization said.

Since the uprising in Libya, attention has focused on entertainers paid by the Gadhafi family for private concerts. Furtado acknowledged getting $1 million which she promised to give to charity.

Beyonce said she donated her fees for to Haiti earthquake relief once she discovered the Gadhafi link.

Carey said she was unaware of whom she was performing for and "embarrassed." She announced she will donate royalties for the song "Save the Day," which she has written for her upcoming album, to charities that create awareness for human-rights issues.

[OscarGuy]

Egypt. They're ok. Bahrain. They're ok. Libya....they have OIL!

[Greg]

U.S. ships move toward Libya amid fears of chaos.


http://www.reuters.com/article....0110301

[Big Magilla]

Or we could start another thread dealing with Libya.

[Greg]

Perhaps this thread's title should be changed again to something like Unrest In The Middle East And North Africa.

Report: Libya fighter jets attack protesters in Tripoli

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41700027/ns/world_news-mideastn_africa/

[taki15]

So, who's next?
Yemen? Algeria? Jordan?

[Okri]

Thank you. I was nearly in tears after Mubarak resigned.