WikiLeaks: Israel Long Viewed Egypt VP as Preferred Mubarak Successor

By The Associated Press

2008 diplomatic cable published by the Daily Telegraph quotes Israeli official as saying that Israel was 'most comfortable' with prospect of Omar Suleiman becoming Egypt's next leader. Continue

---

Defending a Dictator
US Envoy's Business Link to Egypt

By Robert Fisk in Cairo

"Even in past examples where presidents have sent someone 'respected' or 'close' to a foreign leader in order to lubricate an exit," Mr Noe adds, "the envoys in question were not actually paid by the leader they were supposed to squeeze out!" Continue

---

The Egyptian Mirror

By Glenn Greenwald

It's remarkable how self-righteously our political and media class can proclaim sympathy with the heroic populace, and such scorn for their dictator, without really reconciling our national responsibility for Mubarak's reign of terror. Continue

---

Recognizing the Language of Tyranny

By Chris Hedges

Those who administer empire—elected officials, corporate managers, generals and the celebrity courtiers who disseminate the propaganda—become very wealthy. Continue

---

Kleptocrats at Work

By Paul Craig Roberts

When it comes to waste and corruption, lies and deception, the U.S. government has no equal. Continue

---

Evidence of 2002 Taliban Offer Damages Myth of al Qaeda Ties

By Gareth Porter

The entire senior Taliban leadership, meeting in Karachi, "agreed in principle to find a way for them to return to Afghanistan and abandon the fight", Gopal wrote, but the initiative was frustrated by the unwillingness of the United States and the Afghan government. Continue

---

Can We Swap Obama for Chavez?

By Mike Whitney

Chavez has slashed the poverty rate in half, while lowering unemployment from 15% in 1999 to 7% today. (lower than the United States!) Inequality has shriveled to the the lowest level in Latin America. Continue

---

9% Unemployment Rate is a Statistical Lie

By Greg Hunter

If unemployment was computed the way BLS did it prior to 1994, the true unemployment rate would be 22.2%. Continue

---

When Irish Eyes Are Crying

By Michael Lewis

By the start of the new millennium, the Irish poverty rate was under 6 percent and by 2006 Ireland was one of the richest countries in the world. How did that happen? Continue

---

US-led forces kill 4 Afghan civilians: US-led forces have killed four civilians, including a woman, in northern Afghanistan when they bombed their house in the war-ravaged country, a top government official says.
US troops killed in Afghan suicide blast: US soldiers have been killed in a suicide blast in southern Afghanistan’s biggest city, Kandahar, along with an Afghan interpreter for the US military, police said yesterday.
Afghan hired guns bill tops $41M: Canada spent more than $41 million on hired guns in Afghanistan over four years, much of it going to security companies slammed by the U.S. Senate for having warlords on the payroll.
Kabul denies agreeing to buy all fuel from Iran: Afghanistan on Monday dismissed a claim by Tehran that the two countries had reached an agreement for Iran to supply all of its private sector fuel, drawing out a long-running dispute between the neighbours.
'Men Killed by US Diplomat Were Intelligence Operatives': The men shot and killed by US official Raymond Davis in Lahore on January 27 "belonged to the security establishment" and "found the activities of the American official detrimental to our national security", an unnamed security official told The Express Tribune newspaper.
Widow of man 'killed' by US envoy commits suicide: The widow of one of the Pakistani men allegedly shot and killed by an American official in Lahore has committed suicide in an attempt to secure justice.
Talks fail to end Egypt protests: Pro-democracy protests continue at Tahrir Square, a day after government held talks with opposition to end turmoil.
Blogger's release 'reignites' Egypt: Google executive Wael Ghonim speaks after release from Egyptian custody, sparking outpouring of support from protesters.
Suleiman 'panned' Egypt opposition: Omar Suleiman, Egypt's recently appointed vice-president, has previously harshly criticised Egypt's opposition Muslim Brotherhood in his communications with US officials, according to leaked US diplomatic cables.
Egypt unrest: Public-sector pay rise but protests go on: Egypt is increasing pay and pensions for public-sector workers by 15% as protesters defy attempts to return the country to normality.
Hezbollah backs Egypt protests: Leader Nasrallah says protesters are fighting for 'Arab dignity' and slams US for supporting region's 'dictatorships'.
Demonizing Iran: Netanyahu: Egypt could fall into hands of radical Islamists: Prime Minister warned that after Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak leaves power, the country could go in the direction of Iran.
Arab revolts bad news for al Qaeda: IF the popular revolts spread across the Middle East, they could strike a catastrophic blow to violent ideology of al Qaeda that have long preached that peaceful protest is useless in the face of autocracy
Strike cripples Bangladesh cities: Schools and businesses shut in Dhaka and other key cities, as opposition BNP aims to exploit discontent with government.
UK Guardian journalist 'expelled from Russia': A British journalist who reported on Wikileaks cables containing criticism of Russia's leadership says he has been expelled from the country.
Assange extradition trial begins: The two-day hearing at Belmarsh Magistrate's court, a high security building, began on Monday morning and will examine the Swedish arrest warrant issued for Assange in December last year.
Haiti 'gives ex-President Aristide new passport': The Haitian government says it has issued former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide with a passport, opening the way for his possible return.
Virtual Warfare Escalates on U.S.-Mexico Border: In the quiet desert community of Nomirage, located just 20 kilometres east of San Diego, the sounds of impending war creep over the silent landscape.