As security improves, U.S. stops exits of embassy personnel in Egypt

As security improves, U.S. stops exits of embassy personnel in Egypt

Special to WorldTribune.com CAIRO — The United States has decided to keep government staffers and diplomats in Egypt. The State Department said it halted the departure of U.S. personnel over nearly the last four months. The State Department urged Americans not to visit Egypt, which does not have a U.S. ambassador. “Based on an assessment […]

Technology trumps ideology in Egypt: Time for decompression and dialogue

Technology trumps ideology in Egypt: Time for decompression and dialogue

John J. Metzler BENNINGTON, VT — Tumultuous events have swept Egypt as a passionate, but polarized, population took to the streets to press for political change or to support the elected but increasingly authoritarian rule of President Mohammed Morsi. The culmination of the protests came with a massive turnout of millions of anti-Morsi Egyptians in […]

Egyptian protests target Obama as top supporter of Morsi regime

Egyptian protests target Obama as top supporter of Morsi regime

Special to WorldTribune.com CAIRO — Egypt’s mass protest campaign against President Mohammed Morsi has turned against the United States, deemed the leading supporter of the Muslim Brotherhood regime. The protests throughout Egypt have been highlighted by anti-U.S. placards and slogans that portray President Barack Obama as the mainstay of Morsi. Many of the protesters demanded […]

Confusion reported in police ranks as riots spread in Egypt

Confusion reported in police ranks as riots spread in Egypt

Special to WorldTribune.com CAIRO — Egyptian security forces have been fleeing rioters and in some cases surrendering their weapons. Security sources acknowledged that Egyptian police and security forces were refusing to battle pro-democracy protesters in several cities of the Arab League state. They said police officers, particularly conscripts, were fleeing violent protests and even abandoning […]

New anti-Morsi group vows to ‘undermine corruption, topple tyrants’

New anti-Morsi group vows to ‘undermine corruption, topple tyrants’

Special to WorldTribune.com CAIRO — Egypt’s new Islamist regime faces a new protest faction that has been battling security forces. The so-called Black Bloc has deployed hundreds of fighters clad in black who have battled police and security forces around Cairo and other major cities. Black Bloc, said to have used electric shock batons, has […]

That Westerner you meet could be a spy, Egyptian regime warns

That Westerner you meet could be a spy, Egyptian regime warns

Special to WorldTribune.com CAIRO — Egypt’s military regime has warned against talking to foreigners. The regime ordered the production and broadcast of television advertisements that suggested that Egypt was being inundated by foreign spies. The public service announcements warned Egyptians against talking to foreigners, particularly those who appeared to be Western. “Every word comes with […]

To NY Time’s Friedman and ‘experts’: Explain again why ‘Arab Spring’ was a dream come true

To NY Time’s Friedman and ‘experts’: Explain again why ‘Arab Spring’ was a dream come true

Special to WorldTribune.com By Ed Koch The chickens are coming home to roost in the Middle East. The experts who supported the removal of President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt, e.g., The New York Times’ Tom Friedman and many others, are perhaps now wondering if they were right to do so. Hosni Mubarak was certainly an […]

Arab Spring plus U.S. policy equals Arab Winter

Arab Spring plus U.S. policy equals Arab Winter

John J. Metzler UNITED NATIONS — After the heady and often dizzying political changes optimistically described as the Arab Spring, many of these same Middle Eastern states may be heading for what sadly looks like an Arab Winter. The seasonal political shift was predictable, but the end results remain in flux. The three great Middle […]

Egypt arrests three U.S. students; ‘We were throwing rocks’

Egypt arrests three U.S. students; ‘We were throwing rocks’

Special to WorldTribune.com CAIRO — Egypt has detained American students amid rising unrest in the Arab state. Egyptian police arrested three American students from the American University of Cairo, located at Tahrir Square, the focus of the protest campaign against the military regime. The three were said to have been on a study program at […]