Egyptian protesters maintain Mubarak must go as "opaque" negotiations begin (+ analysis of regional unrest); AOL buys Huffington Post in online mega-merger; Thai and Cambodian soldiers exchange fire over temple; Julian Assange faces extradition; and more

Top of the Agenda: Egypt Protestors Stand Firm

After two weeks of deadly protests, activists in Egypt stuck to their demands for the immediate resignation of President Hosni Mubarak, despite unprecedented negotiations between the government and opposition groups (DeutscheWelle) including the banned Muslim Brotherhood. The opposition was disappointed with the talks, and opposition leader Mohamed ElBaradei described the process as "opaque." According to state-run television, one of the issues agreed to was a future end to the military emergency law that has been in place since 1981. Negotiators also discussed media liberalization and plans for committees that would manage a transition to a representative government (CNN). Though the opposition movement has a fragmented leadership, it adheres to a unified set of demands (NYT) centered on Mubarak's resignation, the end of one-party rule, and an overhaul of the constitution.

US President Barack Obama stressed on Sunday that the Egyptian people would not allow a repressive government to replace Mubarak, and that the Muslim Brotherhood is only one faction among many other secular-minded constituents. According to al-Jazeera, Egypt's pro-democracy supporters are "still not pleased with Obama's stance on the crisis."

Analysis:

The Arab world is watching warily as protests in Yemen, Jordan, Algeria, and Syria add to regional unrest, notes this CFR Analysis Brief. All are rooted in concern over economic mismanagement and repression, but any new cast of leaders would face steep challenges.

With food prices at historic levels, unrest is mounting around the world, particularly in import-dependent regions like the Middle East. CFR's Laurie Garrett says to meet demand going forward, countries will need to enhance food production and efficiencies.

Former secretary of state James A. Baker says the crucial US alliance with a politically stunted Egyptian regime poses major difficulties for the Obama administration as it tries to balance U.S. values with national interests.

This issue guide provides a range of background and analysis on the protests in the Middle East and North Africa.

Background:

The anti-government protests in Egypt will likely mean a greater political role for the Muslim Brotherhood, analysts say. But this Backgrounder notes the divide in views over whether the Islamist group will choose a path of moderation or extremism.

This CFR Contingency Planning Memo discusses political instability in Egypt and assesses the possibility of a troubled leadership succession or an Islamist push for political power, the implications for the United States, and policy steps the US government might take.

Read a collection of Foreign Affairs articles on Egypt, including essays by Anwar el-Sadat, Boutros Boutros-Ghali, and Fouad Ajami.

 

PACIFIC RIM: Thai-Cambodia Border Clashes Continue

For a fourth straight day, Thai and Cambodian troops exchanged fire over a disputed territory surrounding a nine hundred year-old Hindu temple (al-Jazeera). According to reports, at least five people have died in the clashes.

Japan: Prime Minister Naoto Kan led a large protest to demand the return of the Kuril islands (StraitsTimes), a small chain held by Russia since the end of World War II. The dispute over the islands has kept the two countries from signing a formal peace treaty ending World War II hostilities.

 

ELSEWHERE:

- Kuwait Minister Quits over Torture Allegations
- AOL to Buy Huffington Post
- Assange Extradition Trial Begins

 

This is an excerpt of the CFR.org Daily News Brief. The full version is available on CFR.org