Links of the Day

- U.S. rejects Israeli demand to pressure Lebanon on Security Council resolution
- Ex-US diplomat blames Israel for Pakistani dictator's death
- Elton to tie knot in Windsor
- Prince gives Sharon 'benefit of doubt'
- Al-Hariri inquiry questions Syrians
- Conference gathers Arab broadcasters in Beirut
- Mideast Arabs: Sharon worse than Bush
- Good display by Syria, Jordan
- 'Rendition' does not involve torture, says Rice
- Sarkozy makes early play for presidency
- U.S. saving Europeans, Rice asserts
- The art of elegance: Discreetly whimsical
- With love at Christmas - a set of stem cells
- In Mongolia, an 'Extinction Crisis' Looms
- U.S. Is Given Failing Grades By 9/11 Panel
- Try a new approach to fighting terror (By Salim Hoss)

This is a MidEast Report by the International Crisis Group:
Lebanon: Managing the Gathering Storm

and ...

... we have Egypt's march towards democracy. Well, not really. Last week the Muslim Brotherhood was put down by the NDP (by preventing supporters from voting). Bad. Today, a senior figure in Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood has argued against non-Muslims holding leadership positions in Egypt, including the presidency. Also bad.



And on a completely different note ... below is a scene of snow ... from Dubai.

posted by Lazarus, 7:00 AM