Adam Morrow and Khaled Moussa al-Omrani

Adam Morrow and Khaled Moussa Al-Omrani write for Inter Press Service.

Egyptian Media Silences Protests

As Egypt’s political crisis escalates, supporters of ousted president Mohamed Morsi accuse the local media – both state-run and private – of ignoring pro-Morsi demonstrations and covering up massive rights abuses. “Egyptian television is desperately trying to cover up the murder of hundreds of unarmed protesters in Cairo’s Rabaa al-Adawiya Square,” leading Muslim Brotherhood member … Continue reading “Egyptian Media Silences Protests”

Post-Mubarak Egypt Inches Toward Iran

CAIRO — Based on several recent statements by Egyptian and Iranian officials, Cairo and Tehran appear closer than ever to restoring diplomatic ties following a 31-year hiatus. “The Egyptian foreign minister and the Islamic Republic of Iran have announced their readiness to expand diplomatic relations between the two countries,” Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi … Continue reading “Post-Mubarak Egypt Inches Toward Iran”

Egyptian Military Under Mubarak’s Shadow

CAIRO – Egypt’s armed forces, the de facto rulers of the country since last week’s ouster of President Hosni Mubarak, have already met several longstanding demands of the opposition, including the suspension of the constitution and dissolution of parliament. Some critics, however, say more must be done if the Mubarak regime’s authoritarian structure is to … Continue reading “Egyptian Military Under Mubarak’s Shadow”

People Power Pushes Mubarak Out

CAIRO — Several hundred thousand protesters massed in Cairo’s central Tahrir Square exploded into joy Friday, after Vice-President Omar Suleiman made the announcement that Hosni Mubarak had resigned as president of Egypt after three decades in office. Finally heeding to 18 days of calls from protesters, the surprise statement marks Mubarak as the second Arab … Continue reading “People Power Pushes Mubarak Out”

Egypt’s Fate Lies in a Square

CAIRO – Demonstrators who turned up in Cairo’s Tahrir Square Friday in even larger numbers than on earlier days are from all walks of life: old men wearing traditional galibiyas, young people in jeans and T-shirts, and women of all ages wearing Islamic head scarves. The protesters, whose numbers across the nation are now estimated … Continue reading “Egypt’s Fate Lies in a Square”

Egypt Punishes Gaza More

CAIRO – Almost two months since Egypt announced it would reopen its Rafah border terminal with the Gaza Strip, operation of the crossing remains sorely limited. “Rafah has only been opened to passengers and some medical supplies,” Hatem al-Buluk, journalist and resident of al-Arish, located some 25 miles west of Rafah, told IPS. “Everything else, … Continue reading “Egypt Punishes Gaza More”

‘Mediterranean Intifada’ Helping Hamas

CAIRO – Israel’s deadly assault on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla last month has led to mounting international pressure to end the ongoing Israeli and Egyptian blockade of the Gaza Strip. The incident, say local analysts, has also served to bolster the position of Palestinian resistance group Hamas, which has governed the strip since 2007. "Israel’s … Continue reading “‘Mediterranean Intifada’ Helping Hamas”

Egyptians: ‘Obama Talks Democracy, Endorses Dictatorship’

CAIRO, Jun 5 (IPS) — Egyptian officials are lining up to praise U.S. President Barack Obama’s address to the Islamic world delivered in Cairo Thursday. But local campaigners for political reform say the speech was disappointingly light on the issues of democracy and human rights. "Obama spoke very briefly and in very general terms on … Continue reading “Egyptians: ‘Obama Talks Democracy, Endorses Dictatorship’”