Needing some context on what’s happening in Egypt? Trying to catch up?
I have been watching and reading everything I can over the past few days, and these article and video links are some of the best overview material I’ve found from Western media. These aren’t on-the-ground reports so much as context setting. I will be updating as new key articles come through and please send suggestions…
EGYPT BACKGROUND
Entire Democracy Now! Show on Monday January 31st I think this is the best overview I have heard of all. Covers U.S. role, the different players in Egypt, etc… Listen to the whole hour and get caught up quickly!
Tunisia’s Spark and Egypt’s Flame: the Middle East is Rising
When Corporations Choose Despots Over Democracy - How U.S. aid to Egypt heads right back to U.S. military corporations.
The Middle East’s freedom train has just left the station In depth analysis of the significance of the uprising for the Arab world
What these rolling revolutions (Tunisia, Egypt, etc…) mean for people in the United States (and Canada) VIDEO]
VIDEO: Chomsky on Democracy Now! “This Is The Most Remarkable Regional Uprising That I Can Remember” He’s doing what U.S. leaders regularly do. As I said, there is a playbook: whenever a favored dictator is in trouble, try to sustain him, hold on; if at some point it becomes impossible, switch sides.”
Why Fear the Arab Revolutionary Spirit? The western liberal reaction to the uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia frequently shows hypocrisy and cynicism. Deep challenge to many of of colonialist-influenced assumptions.
Why Mubarak is Out A bit more in-depth, might not be ideal for a first overview, but if you want to dig deeper…The Empire’s Bagman: The story of Frank Wisner, one of the US’s key henchmen in Egypt, and good friend of Mubarak.
Into Egypt’s Uncharted Territory Hesham Sallam, Joshua Stacher and Chris Toensing
Robert Fisk: A new truth dawns on the Arab world – this is from right at the beginning of the Egyptian uprising
[NOTE: This isn't the usual fare on this site (I'm currently building a more general news site), but as people have been asking for some backgrounders on Egypt...]
