Monday Iran Talking Points

from LobeLog: News and Views Relevant to U.S.-Iran relations for January 31st, 2011: Council on Foreign Relations: Elliott Abrams blogs on the jailed American hikers and USAID contractor in Iran and concludes that it is time for the Obama administration to ratchet up...

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Egypt: Shots Heard Near Presidential Palace

The Guardian reports: "Shots sound like they are coming from the east of the city, Peter Beaumont says. Tracer rounds from heavy calibre weapons suggest they are military. Bursts from the direction of the airport and Heliopolis – where the presidential palace is...

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Harmonic Convergence

God help me, I agree with neocon bigwig, Danielle Pletka, of the American Enterprise Institute, who said in today's Washington Post: "The president himself needs to stand up and unequivocally make clear America's position: in favor of the people over their oppressors....

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ElBaradei Arrives

Via Al Jazeera: A coalition of opposition groups has agreed on a provisional government led by former UN nuclear agency chief Mohamed ElBaradei. In fifteen minutes or so, he will arrive in Liberation Square to address the people. Developing ... "Change is coming in...

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Egyptian Uprising: Great Video & Photo

The above photo is from the Egyptian protests this week. Hat tip to Robert A. Wicks. (I am not sure if he made the poster. If someone knows the author of this photo/poster, please advise and will give fuller credit). Here is a link to a great two-minute video produced...

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The Egyptian Revolution: Day Five

Forty minutes after the start of the official curfew -- 4 pm -- tens of thousands of Egyptians are gathering in Cairo's  Liberation Square, while the army -- which, according to this eyewitness account, has a rather sparse presence -- is simply standing by. One tank...

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3 Cheers for Egyptians & Al Jazeera!

It is great to see so many people with the courage to risk all defying a corrupt, oppressive government. It is great to see the party headquarters of a corrupt regime going up in flames. And it is great to see American politicians squirming as the authoritarian tool...

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