Mubarak to Speak, Future Uncertain for Egypt-U.S. Ties

Perhaps the final straw for Hosni Mubarak came today when hundreds of business, medical and law professionals joined the youthful, anti-government dissenters in Tahrir Square and called for the ouster of the Egyptian president.

In any case, we're learning now that Mubarak will address his people within moments and lay out his still-uncertain plans.

Reports from Egypt have been sketchy -- some say the president will be transferring power to his hand-picked vice president, Omar Suleiman, other reports have Mubarak transferring power to the Egyptian Military, and still other reports have Mubarak remaining in power, but heading to Germany to receive treatment for "health problems" (one of which might be his ability to remain alive in Egypt if he remains in power). If Mubarak stays in power - or even if he transfers power to Suleiman -- those on the ground in the Arab Republic say the unrest will continue.

Despite the nature of his 30-year, self-imposed rule, the U.S. has openly viewed Mubarak as not only an ally, but a stabilizing force for the entire Middle East. Mubarak has kept a long-standing treaty with Israel and has consequently received more than a billion dollars in aid each year from the U.S. As a result of the extensive U.S. aid the country has received, the Egyptian armed forces are on par with Israel's military, which is unequivocally the strongest in the region. Should the new Egyptian leader -- whomever he may be -- reject the treaties with the U.S. and Israel, the political face of the Middle East could change for the worse and efforts for peace could be set back decades.

One of the more dangerous organizations waiting to take advantage of the situation is the Muslim Brotherhood, an Islamist organization and the oldest Islamic political group in the world. Since the protests in Egypt began three weeks ago, the Muslim Brotherhood has taken great pains to reform its image and present itself as a group that is pro-democracy and anti-violence. At least one U.S. official has bought the line from the Brotherhood -- National Intelligence Director James Clapper, who earlier today told a House Select Intelligence Committee that the Muslim Brotherhood "eschews violence" and "decries al-Queda as a perversion of Islam." Other intelligence sources disagree with Clapper, noting that the organization has a long history of violent rhetoric and that Osama bin Laden himself has repeatedly quoted from the writings of Muslim Brotherhood leaders in his frequent condemnations of the West.

Whatever happens in Egypt tonight, one thing's for sure: history will be made. All the U.S. can do is wait ... and hope.

UPDATE:
Mubarak addressed his people just before 10 p.m. Egypt-time and told his people he would not step down. He has vowed he will stay in office until a peaceful transition of power can take place in September.

It remains unclear where the Egyptian military falls in all this. Military leaders have indicated a desire to quell the protests in an effort to get the nation's economy back on track (the country has been paralyzed by the protests for three straight weeks).

Mubarak may very well have made the right decision, considering the protesters appeared to have escalated the demands as the president's decision drew closer. Many demonstrators indicated they would be unwilling to disperse if Suleiman took power, and then when the conversation turned to military rule, some demonstrators indicated they wouldn't leave under those circumstances, either. Mubarak's decision to remain in power until September may very well have been influenced by these increasingly erratic demands.

So far, the protesters have not made clear exactly who they want to run their government. They've made the argument for democracy, elections and peace, but these things don't happen overnight. Candidates for election must emerge, campaigns must be run and debates must take place before the populace can make an informed decision about the country's future leadership. All of these things are necessary, or there will be a power vacuum that could be more dangerous than Mubarak's continued rule.

In the wake of Mubarak's decision, all eyes now turn to the Egyptian armed forces. What they will do if the crowd filling Tahrir square refuses to disperse and how they'll handle Mubarak's decision will be major factors in Egypt's future.

For the United States, the waiting game isn't over.

Arnold Schwarzenegger Commits to Dramatic Role in Return to Big Screen

Now that Arnold is free of his duties to the state of California and the GOP, he is re-focusing on the movie career that he put on hold to become the Governator. In a somewhat surprising twist, Schwarzenegger's first role in his return to the big screen will be a dramatic one. This is an obvious departure from most of Arnold's most notable work to date. He's primarily been cast as an action hero, with some comedic roles and elements sprinkled among them.

Cry Macho is a film about a horse trainer whose wife and child have died and who is generally down on his luck. He is offered $400,000 to go to Mexico and kidnap the son of his boss from his ex-wife, but once he arrives in Mexico he realizes that the son is unloved and not wanted by the mother. During the return trip to the U.S., while being pursued by Mexican authorities, the two form a father-son bond.

The story and the concept for the film come from a 1975 novel by N. Richard Nash, writer of the Rainmaker. Nash also wrote the screenplay for Cry Macho, which has been controlled by Oscar-winning producer Al Ruddy for several years. Ruddy is best known for his Oscar-winning work on The Godfather and Million Dollar Baby.

"I guarantee that you'll get another look at Arnold Schwarzenegger in this movie," Ruddy said. "Arnold always plays these big muscular guys, but there's a sweetness to Arnold in real life, and we want to bring that sweetness to the screen. Now that Brad's (Lincoln Lawyer director Brad Furman) met with Arnold, he's convinced there's an accessibility and vulnerability there that he wants to bring out."
By Buzzle Staff and Agencies

Republicans Admit that Medicare Vouchers Unlikely to Work

A proposed Republican plan to introduce vouchers for Medicare services is likely to be shelved according to party leaders speaking yesterday. It is just one of many items that will be thrust to the background as Republicans and Democrats compromise on a plan that will both allow more government borrowing and create large cuts in government spending. Both sides of the aisle have noted that there is likely to be an agreement soon, and even Vice President Biden noted that there had been progress.

According to Biden, spending cuts, in tandem with the ability to borrow more money are "practically and politically connected." As part of the compromise that is likely coming, House Republicans noted that they are open to alternative ideas with regard to the Medicare voucher plan. Also contributing to that move by the GOP is the fact that older voters seem to be pretty in love with their expensive health insurance. Michigan Representative Dave Camp, chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, noting that he supported the voucher program, but wasn’t willing to fight for something that has little chance to pass.

Noted Camp, "I’m not interested in laying down more markers. I’m interested in solutions. Let’s figure out where there is common ground and let’s get there as soon as we can." House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, noted of the forthcoming compromise between the parties, "Let me make this clear. When it comes to increasing the debt limit and the need to have reductions in spending, nothing is off the table except raising taxes." If that’s not a prelude to an agreement, then pretty much nothing is.
By Buzzle Staff and Agencies

Bin Laden's Wife Tells Pakistani Intelligence of Living in Compound

Amal Ahmed Abdullfattah is a Yemeni-born wife of slain al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. Abdullfattah is now in the custody of Pakistani intelligence officials and they are questioning her about her time at the compound. Thus far, the only information that has been released reveals that she lived there for six years and that she was confined to the upper floors of the residence during that time period. It is unclear if she was being held against her will or if she was complicit in her stay.

Two other wives of Bin Laden, who were also apprehended during the raid, have been speaking with Pakistani officials about their time in the compound as well. In addition to the three wives, there were also 8 or 9 children who were taken out of the residence. It's unclear at this time if all of the children are Bin Laden's.

Information gathered from the wives and from documents found at the residence indicate that al Qaeda had recently split into two distinct factions. One was being controlled by Bin Laden, while the other, larger group is now under the control of Ayman al-Zawahri, formerly the number 2 man under Bin Laden. Information recovered by members of the American assault team also pointed to a planned attack on U.S. railways by members of al Qaeda. The attack was being planned to coincide with the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

Pakistani officials believe that Bin Laden was struggling financially at the time of his killing and that his much of his power within the organization had dwindled as a result of his hiding in plain sight.
By Buzzle Staff an

Publish Post

d Agencies

U.S. May Cut Aid to Pakistan for Hiding Osama bin Laden

Congress is considering cutting the nearly $1.3 billion in aid to Pakistan if investigations indicate that the country’s government knew the whereabouts of Osama bin Laden and failed to inform the U.S. In addition to being a great way to trim the federal budget deficit, it would probably send a strong message to a country that has actually had the audacity to criticize the U.S. raid on bin Laden. Senator Diane Feinstein, a Democrat from California, has already noted that she wants further details on the matter from the CIA. Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Maryland, also noted that the country would have to show a commitment to fighting terrorism in order to continue to receive aid.

Noted Hoyer, "I don’t know whether it would be effective or counterproductive, we’ll have to look at that. It needs to be looked into." Pakistan apparently has U.S. lawmakers a bit angry and they want to know the answers to two very simple questions. Namely – what did Pakistani intelligence agents know about bin Laden’s whereabouts, and when? Noted Senator Susan Collins, R-Maine, "I think this tells us once again that, unfortunately, Pakistan at times is playing a double game.

Senator Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, stood on the other side of the debate, saying, "For those who want to cut off aid to Pakistan, I understand your frustration. But at the end of the day, if you want to create a failed state in Pakistan, one of the best things to do is sever relationships. It is not in our national security interest to let this one event destroy what is a difficult partnership but a partnership nonetheless." At a guess, if it is determined that Pakistan knew where bin Laden was and didn’t notify the U.S., that argument is not going to hold water.
By Buzzle Staff and Agencies
Published: 5/4/2011

Death of Osama bin Laden Elicits Interesting Tweets from Celebs

The world, and especially America, reacted to the news of the death of Osama bin Laden yesterday, but an interesting glimpse into the world of celebrities saw them offering their two cents as well. Some were somber, others celebratory and still others just downright odd. As always, Twitter served as the official outlet for celebrity commentary. President Obama himself noted in a speech late on Sunday evening that "Justice has been done." Thereafter, just about everyone offered their view.

Tweeted Oprah Winfrey, "Trying to decide what to do about tomorrow’s show with [the president] that was taped last week. War is definitely not over." Winfrey clearly understands that the death of bin Laden, while monumental, certainly does not spell an end of the always-ongoing war on terror. In fact, it is worth noting that al-Qaida in Yemen – far away from bin Laden’s compound in Pakistan - pose the biggest threat internationally. Other celebrities were less contemplative on the matter.

Tweeted Lindsay Lohan, "Go USA!" That seems to be more in line with what we’d expect from those who make their living Tweeting and doing various other things. Paris Hilton, queen of getting paid to do nothing that involves any discernible talent, noted on her Twitter account, " Just landed back in L.A., so happy to hear the news of Osama bin Laden’s death. He was the face of terrorism and such an evil man. The world is a much better place with him not in it." Others commended the president, while Jack Osbourne indicated that without a body he saw no proof. Of course, we all must take the comments of celebrities – especially when they’re talking about things well above their pay grade/intelligence level – with a grain of salt.
By Buzzle Staff and Agencies
Published: 5/3/2011

Official Details of Osama Bin Laden's Death Now Changing

After executing one of the greatest tactical military triumphs in history, U.S. officials seem to be botching the aftermath and the control of information that is being disseminated about the killing of Osama Bin Laden. Initial reports indicated that Bin Laden was armed and that he was engaged in a brief firefight with Navy SEALS before he was shot and killed. Other reports suggested that he used one of his wives as a human shield and that she was killed as well. As it turns out, Bin Laden was unarmed and in an upstairs bedroom with one of his wives when killed. The latest murky version of events has the young wife lunging toward one of the SEALS, who then shot her in the leg. She survived. It's unclear how Bin Laden may have posed a threat to the SEALS, but he was also killed with one shot to the head and two to the chest.

Ultimately, the result here is the same and few outside of Bin Laden's loyal followers are really going to care about the manner in which he was killed. Bin Laden planned and ordered numerous mass murder operations around the globe. That said, it appears that the U.S. was ill-prepared to handle anything beyond actually finding and killing Bin Laden. Since the confirmation of his death, information is flying around wildly, much of it contradictory.

In hindsight, the U.S. should have kept a much tighter lid on the details of the operation. There is no need for the public to know "exactly" what happened. All that must be confirmed is that Bin Laden is dead and that the U.S. military and intelligence agencies took care of business.

Now there are rumors and an air of suspicion that surrounds the incident. Perhaps that was inevitable, but it certainly could have been handled better in terms of how U.S. officials are managing the flow of information. Now the relief and sense of accomplishment for finding and killing Bin Laden are mixed with doubts about exactly what happened. Looking at the situation objectively, it's hard to imagine that there would be any positives from taking Bin Laden alive. And perhaps that's one piece of information that will never see the light of day - that Bin Laden was not leaving that compound alive, no matter what.
By Buzzle Staff and Agencies
Published: 5/4/2011