Routine Updates

-After Egypt Military has taken control of the country after Mubarak's resignation, they have pledged to ensure civilian rule. This is huge news tot hose who feared Mubarak's crones would regain power or that the military would rule.

-Algerian protests are still going strong. It's still unclear whether they will pick up enough steam to make a significant change. Meanwhile in Yemen, protesters have been getting savagely beaten by riot police.

-Similar protests are scheduled in Iran for Monday. The US has urged Ahmadinejad to allow the rally in an unexpectedly forceful stance.

-In the EU, the notion that multiculturalism has failed is spreading. First the Prime Minister of the UK and then the President of France have made official statements to that effect. This will most likely serve only to heighten anti-muslim sentiments across Europe.

-I've reached 200 followers! Thanks, all.

-Here's Al Jazeera's recent News Update

Next Stop: Algeria

Egypt-style protests have begun in another dictator-plagued North African country, Algeria. Thousands of pro-reform protesters have gathered in downtown Algiers chanting the mantra of the protest, "No to the police state"

Since this is only the beginning of the protests (and hopefully not the end), it is unclear as to exactly how much support they have. Reports are that nearly 10,000 showed up today alone, however the police are expected to take a much more hand-on role in preventing the protests than in Egypt.

The government of Algeria has just shut down social media sites like twitter and facebook in a similar manner of the *former* governments of Tunisia and Egypt.

I wish the protesters of Algiers luck in their venture, and would like to remind them to keep the protests peaceful, progressive, and secular.

As with Egypt, I will be monitoring the protests and will blog about any relevant updates. And also as with Egypt, updates can be found with the only reliable middle east news network, Al Jazeera at http://www.youtube.com/user/AlJazeeraEnglish

Countries where similar protests have the potential to form:

-Yemen

-Libya

-Saudi Arabia

-Tehran

-Iran

-Most likely Not the US or the western countries

Egypt Update

Earlier tonight, February 10, 2011, Egyptian President Mubarak has put an end to rumors that he would soon be stepping down. Despite transferring powers to the equally unpopular Vice President Omar Sulieman, this move was considered a snub to President Obama whose administration earlier helped to leak the aforementioned rumors.

Mubarak's tactics for saving face earlier include promising key changes to certain Egyptian constitutional amendments, claims that the protesters were motivated by out-of-state actors (untrue), and even promising to not run in the next Presidential election in September. None of these appeasements were sufficient for the protesters who understood that Mubarak would still attempt to claim power in his own underhanded way unless he and his supporters were to resign from the government immediately.

The new power holder Omar Sulieman is reportedly a very militant man, with a history in the armed forces as well as a record of using torture to achieve his ends. Bigger Protests are expected tomorrow, with the organizers calling for 20 million ro take to the streets tomorrow to finally achieve a lasting change. Rumors have spread about the protests possibly spreading to the presidential Palace which happens to be only a few blocks from the hub of the previous protests in Tahrir Square.

Rumors of similar style protests in Iran have also been circulating, so don't be surprised when the media switches their coverage there next week.

As always, live coverage of Egypt can be found on Al Jazeera television, as well as on their YouTube page: http://www.youtube.com/aljazeeraenglish

Also remember to check in on my blog for any relevant updates!

Mubarak's Speech:

Update: This morning President Mubarak officially stepped down as President after thousands of protesters congregated in front of his multiple presidential palaces. The streets of Cairo are awash in celebration.

Egypt

Egypt is in the midst of a struggle to overthrow a militaristic dictator in order to ensure a brighter and more hopeful future for the everyday citizen. Factors that prompted this uprising range from Wikileaks and Tunisia to the fact that the quality of life gap between the rich and the poor has been growing so rapidly.

Protesters have gathered in Tahrir (Liberation) Square and have demanded that President of 30 long years, Hosni Mubarak, step down from power.

The protests started on January 25th and have swelled in numbers up to today, when nearly 2 million people are gathered in central Cairo in pursuit of a common goal.

Some are worried about the local Islamic group, the Muslim Brotherhood, taking power afterward, however those fears are baseless as the next leader has been selected to be Nobel Prize winner Mohamed ElBaradei, a former UN official.

Al Jazeera has been the biggest coverer of the story, with other news networks simply mentioning it only as far as they believe will get them ratings. Al Jazeera's coverage of the story can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/aljazeeraenglish

or here: http://english.aljazeera.net/watch_now/

Here's a video update from Al Jazeera's youtube page

Update: 4:05 EST, President Mubarak promises not to run in the next Presidential Election, Vows to "die on Egyptian soil" and not flee the country like Tunisia's President. The protesters are not buying this and are now chanting "Go Away, go away!"