Coptic Priest Killed in Sinai Attack

Islamist militants killed a Coptic priest in Northern Sinai,Egypt on Saturday afternoon.The priest,Mina Aboud Sharween,39,was killed in a driveby shooting while walking in the provincial capital,El Arish,by attackers on a motorbike.
The extremists also sprayed four military checkpoints in the area with bullets.On Friday,they killed five police officers in El Arish.The rampage is seen as a response to the sacking of former president Mohamed Morsi by the Egyptian army last week when he failed to reach an accommodation with throngs of protestors in the Egyptian capital,Cairo.
Coptic Pope Tawadros II expressed his support for the military intervention and was present at the announcement of the move by General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi,commander of the Egyptian army.
There are some eight million Coptic Orthodox Christians in Egypt,as well as a small number of Greek Orthodox in the Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa-perhaps 20,000.There have been sporadic violent clashes between Coptic Christian and Muslim Egyptians in recent years.

Kerry Gathers His Thoughts Before First Overseas Trip

Our lives as Americans are more entwined than ever before with the lives of those in other countries we may never have visited.My friends,no politicians can put this genie back in the bottle,said new Secretary of State John Kerry at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville on the eve of his first overseas trip,to Europe and the Middle East.Our citizens deserve a strong foreign policy to protect our place in the world.
This is a time to continue to engage for the sake of our safety and economy-95% of the world's customers live outside our own country.These investments in foreign engagement are paying for themselves.Indonesia is placing the largest order for aircraft that Boeing has ever filled.China is out second largest trading partner.Eleven of our fifteen largest trading partners used to be beneficiaries of US foreign assistance.
We are a country without any permanent enemies.Senator John McCain and I worked for 10 years to bring about relations with Vietnam.Our trade with Vietnam has increased more than 700% since then.
Our foreign service personnel screen for potential security threats on far shores before they can reach the homeland.A transatlantic partnership will match the scope and ambition of our transpacific partnership talks.
Jobs and trade are not the whole story;nor should they be.Failed states are among our greatest security threats.Deploying diplomats today is much cheaper than deploying troops tomorrow.It's national security insurance that we're buying,as Senator Lindsey Graham said.Diplomats fight corruption overseas and support the rule of law.All of that danger and risk that they take makes us more secure.
Countries are more secure and prosperous when women and girls are afforded more opportunities.Today more than a quarter of the Afghan parliament is women.
Foreign assistance is an investment in a stronger America.For the first time in history,young people around the world act as a global cohort.We need to help them and us use this remarkable network in a positive way.There is no pause button on the future.Responding is the American thing to do.
The greatest challenge is not in the hands of diplomats,but of Congress.We can't be strong in the world if we are not strong at home.My credibility as a diplomat is strongest when America puts its own fiscal house in order-and that has to be now.Let's not lose this opportunity because of politics.
After World War II,we didn't spike the football;we created a more level playing field,and we are stronger for it today.Now we face a similar crossroads as new markets bloom in every part of the world.Our sense of responsibility has to be exercised.What happens over there matters right here,and it matters that we get this right,Secretary of State John Kerry concluded before departing for the UK,Germany,France,Italy,Turkey,Egypt,the UAE,Saudi Arabia and Qatar this weekend.

The US Embassy Crisis:Friday Prayers Regarded Warily

Today's Friday prayers in the Islamic world will not be routine.First,what the imams say at the prayers will be closely monitored.Inflammatory anti-US rhetoric could send enraged mobs into the streets outside US embassy compounds.Even if such messages are not spread by Muslim clergy,the period after Friday prayers is a traditional time for large protests in the Muslim world.US officials are gravely concerned about the safety of US citizens who may be doing business at US embassies on Friday.
As well,the controversy over an offensive anti-Islam video posted on YouTube will possibly encourage the rise of  homegrown radical groups and plots,or bring an increased risk of terrorist attacks within the US by foreigners.
Senator John McCain,R-Arizona,said we are seeing an effort to stir up trouble against the US using this bogus film.Egypt is of vital importance.These are very difficult times.This virus is probably going to spread through the Arab world.
We have to be very careful and measured in our response.Egypt has gone from a staunch ally to a country seeking its own way.Its going through a significant transformation.It's in our interest to have a working relationship with them,given their importance in the Arab world.
Libya is a weak government,but the Libyan people want us and are grateful to us.They voted for moderates,not Islamists.They do have porous borders.They need technical assistance.
The political ticktock is not something I'm paying attention at at this time of the sacrifice of Ambassador Chris Stevens and the three other brave Americans,Senator McCain added.Chris Stevens' life was under threat every single hour of every day.
Besides Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens,killed in the Benghazi consulate rocket attack were US Air Force veteran and computer expert Sean Smith;former US Navy SEAL and security specialist Glen Doherty;and his security colleague Tyrone Woods,also a former SEAL.
Ansar al-Sharia,the Enforcers of Islamic Law,is one of the main militant  groups suspected to be behind the attack,despite their denial of complicity in the incident.Ansar al-Sharia has links to al-Qaida.
Anti-American protests have occurred in 11 countries from Casablanca,Morocco to Kashmir,India.

A Fog Is Lifted:Egyptian Military Declares Intentions-plus an update

The Egyptian military has declared it will only rule until democratic elections have been held.It also promised to honor all existing treaties,including the peace treaty with Israel.
The army has long been closely associated with the U.S. military,sending several soldiers to the U.S. for training.Indeed,Egyptian troops fought in the anti-Iraq coalition in the Gulf War of 1991,in which,during the administration of President George H.W. Bush,the U.S. and its allies drove Iraqi invaders out of Kuwait.
Admiral Michael Mullen,Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff,is headed to the region to assess the situation.He will be the highest ranking U.S. official to visit the Middle East since the uprising.
In Tahrir Square on Saturday,the army moved quickly to arrest three ruffians who were raising a ruckus,rushing several troops in to confront them.In general,the day passed peacefully as many internal tourists made a pilgrimage to the site of the historic events shaping their nation.Former demonstrators helped the army remove debris and barricades from the area,and women began sweeping up the trash that had accumulated over the course of the uprising.
Saturday is a day off for most Egyptians.
Update:Traffic began flowing through Tahrir Square again Sunday in Cairo,and most shops on the square reopened for business.Protest leader Wael Ghonim urged demonstrators to return to work,and many of them apparently have done so,as the crowds thinned markedly.
The miltary said it would rule for six months.During that time,a committee would revise the constitution,which the people will get to vote on upon completion.No ministers unacceptable to the people would be appointed.

Speaking For Themselves:Arab Intellectuals React to Egypt's History-plus the stock market response

Arab intellectuals in the United States have been responding to the historic events in Egypt.Ashraf Hegazy,the son of an Egyptian diplomat who is Executive Director of the Dubai Initiative at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs in the Harvard Kennedy School,dismissed President Hosni Mubarak's speech on Thursday.I heard nothing new.It's not what the military has been saying all day.It's very dangerous.
The protesters have been calling for a 20 million person march on Friday.That creates a really volatile situation.There might be some major action by the military between now and then.I would question Mubarak's state of mind.At this point,he's digging in his heels,saying he won't leave Egypt alive.
It's certainly possible for him to be arrested by the military.He said he would delegate some of his powers,but he kept referring to himself as part of the transition process.At some point,everyone around him will realize they can't keep following him.I think the people will accept military control during a transition,said Ashraf Hegazy,a scholar in the fields of adaptive leadership and negotiation frameworks in the Middle East.
Aladdin Elaasar,award-winning journalist and author of "The Last Pharaoh of Egypt:Hosny Mubarak" and "Silent Victims:The Plight of Arab and Muslim Americans in Post 9/11 America,"thinks the Egyptian people are very resourceful.This is a new,different generation.Young people make up 60% of the Egyptian population,but the other generations have joined with them.They all have a common demand:the end of this brutal regime.
It was a disaster in the making,the huge gap between the super-rich and the super-poor,40% below the poverty line and 20% unemployment.This is why there are some authoritarian regimes seeing a threat for themselves by what's happening in Egypt.
I think Mubarak's days are numbered.It's just a matter of time,Mr.Elaasar believes.
Asian markets fell on the news,as did U.S. stock futures.
The Egypt exchange traded fund rose 0.45% on Thursday.The fund is nicely diversified,covering industries from banking to food and steel.
Market Vectors Egypt Index Etf(EGPT)
Update:The Egypt exchange traded fund rallied Friday,adding 7.81% by midday at the news of Hosni Mubarak's resignation.The broader U.S. stock market was up a little,rising about 0.25%.
The military has indeed assumed control of Egypt-for how long is not clear yet.What is clear is that the army will expect Egyptians to go back to work and school beginning this weekend.The promising economy can't take much more protesting and celebrating.It's also probable that certain forces of instability in the region are pondering the events in the context of achieving their own goals,which raises a flag of caution amid the euphoric scenes.

Egypt Edition:Banks Reopening,More Talks On

Starved for cash since January 27,two days after the uprising began,Cairo residents and businesses visited banks that reopened on Sunday.One bank had a line of about 50 people outside the door.Businesses had complained that they needed to withdraw money to repay their creditors.The central bank did impose some limits,however,restricting the amount individuals can withdraw,but not businesses,according to Ahmed Ismail,manager at Abu Dhabi National Bank.
Christians planned to celebrate Mass in Tahrir Square Sunday in remembrance of those who died in the course of the protests,and Muslims said they would form a protective ring around the Christians.The UN estimates up to 300 people were killed in the uprising.
The Muslim Brotherhood said it would meet with Vice-President Omar Suleiman,having earlier declined to do so till Mubarak resigned.The Muslim Brotherhood is an umbrella group of Islamists who favor conservative sharia law for Egypt,but insist they are democratic in pursuit of their goals.
In general,much of the populace is getting restless and more determined to return to work on Sunday,the first day of the work week in predominantly Muslim countries such as Egypt.From fishermen to bankers,they feel the reform process is underway enough now and they need renewed cash flow in order to survive.

Egypt Edition:Cairo Calm,Talks Underway

A much-reduced group of protesters continues to demonstrate in Cairo's Tahrir Square Saturday night,still waving Egyptian flags and listening to speeches as they mill about.About 4-5,000 of these opposition members hold on to their central position.At one point,the army commander dropped by and told them they had been heard;it was time for them to go home.They chanted that they would not go home until Mubarak resigns.
Although Mubarak has not resigned as President,the leadership of his ruling National Democratic Party has-including Mubarak's son,Gamal.The new leader of the party is Hossam Badrawi,an M.D. and medical school professor with a reputation as a liberal and education reformer.He also said it was time the protesters went home.
Some opposition members have been talking with the Vice-President,Omar Suleiman.They are looking for a way to ease Mubarak out of power.Other opponents refuse to negotiate,however,until President Mubarak resigns.
Cairo's courts are slated to reopen tomorrow,and traffic is moving again outside of Tahrir Square.

Egypt Edition:Thunderheads Over Tahrir,Americans Unaccounted For

The fate of hundreds of Americans who told the State Department they wanted to leave Egypt was unclear as of Thursday night/Friday dawn Cairo time.About 3,000 Americans intended to escape the mounting xenophobia in the Egyptian capital,yet only 2300 have been flown out so far.Some may have gotten out on their own.
Some Americans have been injured,but they are being helped,either in Cairo or in another country they escaped to,a State Department source said.
Not only journalists are being roughed up by President Hosni Mubarak's plainclothes cronies.Foreigners in general fear for their lives.Black-clothed security forces are being seen driving around in armored personnel carriers.These riot squad types had not been evident to this point.
The Egyptian economy relies on foreigners in the form of tourism and foreign direct investment in the country.
The roughing up of journalists is a worrisome sign of a looming large-scale crackdown,CNN's Hala Gorani believes.Dr.Fouad Ajami of the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies also fears an Egyptian Tiananmen Square,referring to the notorious Chinese crackdown on dissenters in 1989.Wednesday night we saw the cruelty of the regime.It became a very different story,a fight for Egypt.Mubarak is hunkered down.It became a civil war between the regime and its people,the Lebanese-born son of Iranian Shiites feels.
Nile TV anchor Shahira Amin resigned in protest at the government's heavier hand.She was told to read press releases from the Interior Ministry and focus on pro-Mubarak forces.
All I was thinking about were the peaceful demonstrators making legitimate demands.They've made us all very proud.I just couldn't betray them by being part of the propaganda machine,Ms.Amin said.She had been chastised in the past for making Egypt look bad.Nile TV broadcsts only in French and English,being aimed at Egypt's educated elite.The Egyptian population is 35% illiterate.
Update:The feared crackdown has not in fact materialized as night has fallen on Egypt Friday.The largest crowd of the week is still chanting,waving flags and hearing speeches in Tahrir Square in Cairo,underneath Mubarak hung in effigy,as well as in Alexandria.Sporadic conflict between pro and anti-Mubarak forces did occur,with the pro forces driving the anti back toward the square.On another occasion,a large white van drove insanely into the crowd.Other than that,the mood is being described as cheerful for the moment,but for how long will the army be neutral?The crowds are also being described as self-sustaining,and whether the military can stand being seen as ineffectual forever is a major question.