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Egypt's counter-revolutionary bogeyman  By: Osama Diab  Summary: In the Tahrir Square in Cairo a protest turned violent when the military came and ended up arresting 41 people and leaving 2 dead. This attack came two weeks the Egyptian parliament passed a law banning protests.  The law states that participating in protests and strikes that hinder the work of public institutions or authorities during a state of emergency illegal.  The new military that has been is placed is showing very similar signs to the leadership of Mubarak. And the signs of a new democratic future coming in place are coming in really slow if they are even making progress.  Reflection: After reading this and hearing that more people and deaths have happened from the protest has been disappointing. They made good progress in getting rid of there old government and now to hear that the government is not taking the right steps into becoming democratic. From what i read and heard in this the Egyptian government still has a long way in becoming a stable government and until then there are just going to be problems and protests and more people getting killed, hurt, and arrested.  Questions:Why would the parliament pass a no protest law? How are the people going to show there frustration with the government now? How many people are going to get arrested for just protesting? How is the parliament going to react to the angry outbursts by the people?

Summary: Anti- government protesters are protesting against President Hosni Mubarak- throwing stones between the supporters of the president.  Everyone is angry that he was resigned to be the president again. Massive anti-government protest went on when this happened.  Response: I think that after reading this article I feel really bad that the people are brave enough to do this to him. Even if they don't like there new president I don't think they should protest against it. Like theres always going to be people that don"t like the new president. Protesting against him is only going to make him feel bad and not change anything.  Questions:  1. Why are they not over it yet? 2. Why do they keep protesting over and over again? 3. Whats so bad about the new president? 4. WHat do they think this is going to change, by doing this? 5. How long will they protest? 

Research question: What are the effects of the competition with oil in Nigeria?  Shah, Anup. "Nigeria and Oil." Global Issues, Updated: 10 Jun. 2010. Accessed: 10 Mar. 2011. Reflection: The more I research the problem the more I realize how big of a problem this really is. There are so many environmental issues and protests that have come with drilling in Nigeria.  Summary: The presence of oil companies have hurt many of the communities on the Niger Delta in Nigeria including environmental pollution, farming and fishing difficulties because of oil spills, drinking water is getting scarcer and scarcer, and malnourishment and disease is showing up more and more. Not only is it bring environmental issues, but economic and societal one too including loss of property, price inflation, prostitution, and bad fathering by oil company workers.Many people have lost their lives to the violence that goes on with both violent protests and non-violent ones. The government is corrupt and there are religious tensions going on between Muslims and Christians in the midst.  Questions:  *What would be best? To stay and get oil or to get out to stop the violence? *Is there a way to stop the violence? And should we take the step in doing so even though it may hurt us? *How many oil spills have happened in Nigeria?

Jeremy Bowen-BBC Middle East Editor  Summary: This article was about anyone walking the streets in Egypt, looking around and seeing building, houses, and government building surrounded by protesters. Protesters have been protesting for last week outside of multiple government building. Workers who work for Egypt mad and upset about not getting enough money have caused many riots as well. People have been unhappy for a awhile and are finally starting to make in known but rioting at most every building, until they get the money they want and a new leader.  Reflection: I was surprised to read that a lot of the Egyptian riots have been from the workers at the government building. I did not know that they were unhappy with there pay, and that it was not only the dictatorship that was causing problems with the people. I think it is important that we read more into the problems in our world rather than just listening to the nighty news or watch a two minute clip off an american online news site. We need to go more in depth and read into the story more.  Questions: DId the workers end up getting more money?  What is the government doing to control the riots?  Are people still rioting after getting more money? How many people have been injured during riots? 

Research Question : What are the effects of Hezbollah on Israel? "Protests as Hezbollah poised to form Lebanon government." BBC News. BBC, 24 Jan. 2011. Web. 8 Mar. 2011. Summary : Najib Mikati, a U.S. educated billionaire businessman who gets support by Hezbollah, became the new Prime Minister of Lebanon. Because the majority of people in Lebanon believe in Sunni, most of the supporters of Saad Hariri think "Hariri is the only man who represents the Sunni faith." After the nomination, supporters of Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Saad Hariri are protesting in many cities. This nomination might affect the future relationship between Lebanon and Israel. Reflection : This nomination is significant to both Lebanon and Israel because Mikati becoming a new Prime Minister of Lebanon means Hezbollah actually took the power to control over the Lebanon government. So, it is clear that they will make another conflict between Israel and Lebanon. Lebanon civilians and the United States are very concerned about the actions that Mikati will make in the future toward Israel. This issue will not only affect Israel but also Lebanon itself;  more and more Lebanon civilians will not support or trust their government because of the Hezbollah-backed Prime Minister. Questions : 1) What is the future plan of the Lebanon after the nomination of new Prime MInister Najib Mikati? 2) How much this event will impact the Israel community? 3) Is Hezbollah actually going to directly dictate the Lebanon since they now have the actual power of the Lebanon government? 4) What is specific reactions of the Lebanon civilians who don't support neither Mikati nor Hariri?

Research Question : What are the effects of Hezbollah on Israel? Kershner, Isabel, and Nada Bakri. "Israeli and Lebanese Forces Engage in Deadly Clash." New York Times 4 Aug. 2010: A9(L). New York Times. Web. 8 Mar. 2011. Summary : Another clash happened; it is the fiercest clash since the Israel-Hezbollah war in 2006. Israeli think they need to protest with the Security Council this time. Lebanese are justifying themselves by claiming that they started the gunfire because the Israel troops crossed into their territory. However, Israeli forces says they were just in the Blue Line, the internationally recognized border. Israeli even hold their fire and allowed Lebanese to evacuate their wounded. Unfortunately, rocket-propelled grenade is what Israeli got for their generosity. Reflection : This hatred has been huge problem between Lebanon and Israel especially after the war in 2006. Lebanese has to take responsible for starting the clash this time; they should admit that their sudden furious toward Israel made this bad result of this attack. It has been about 5 years after they went through that war, and they now have to find some other peaceful ways to compromise instead of fighting against each other for forever, because their conflict affects both of them in a extremely negative way. Questions : 1) Is this clash affects other countries besides Lebanon and Israel? 2) What specifically the Security Council promised to do for the peace between two countries? 3) What methods are Israeli going to use to protest with the Security Council?

summary: Only Egyptian women were allowed to do this protest. They wore pink and blue veils. If any men tried to join this the women would kick him out and say its only for women, but speaking out for everyone. they are doing this to show that they want more rights as women.  Response:  I think this is a crazy idea to do, to only let girls be allowed to do that. But also a very good idea because girls never get to do what they want to. This way it shows that they really want there rights because they should! Girls should not be any different then the men.  Questions:  1. What laws do the women want to change by doing this?2. What was the purpose of wearing the veils?  3. What were they trying to prove? 4. How big of event was this, what did it change? 

Summary: Hosni Mubarak has been Egypt's modern pharoah for close to 30 years now. Mr. Mubarak stood by his side. Hosni Mubarak now resigned and he turned his powers over to the military. When president Mubarak tried violence he lost a lot of his support from his military. Mr. Mubarak coming into be the president, thought he had grip on the country but found out he was very shaky- and he thought he could just hand over his power to his son Gamal who is now in prison in Cairo. Response: I thought this article was very interesting because it shows how easy the president thought it was going to be going into it with his head all high and nothing could break. But found out everyone is protesting against him and no one is happy with him being the president.  Questions: 1. Why did he turn his power over to the military? 2. Why would president Mubarak want to keep fighting to e president if he's doing such a bad job? 3. How is he loosing grip so fast? 4. Why is he trying to hide from his people when Obama was there? 

Research question: What are the effects of the competition with oil in Nigeria?  Lehrer, Jim. "Tension and Violence Arise Over Oil Drilling in Nigeria." Online NewsHour. PBS, 25 Aug. 2005. Web. 8 Mar. 2011. . Reflection: Wow, never before did I realize all the problems that Nigeria has. Not only has the oil companies caused many environmental problems, but they have also caused the people to not trust them and the promises they throw at them like candy. I understand that is one of our major places to get oil from, but I really think we need to look into what the companies are causing the Nigerian people to do to not just us, but each other. To think that our oil companies is pretty much their only government, that is really scary. Question: *Is there a way to set up a REAL way to help with environmental issues here? *If companies start to keep companies will people settle down? *Can we help Nigeria set up a functioning, uncorrupt, government?

Summary: In this Article I read that The Egyptian Museum in Cairo got broken into. About 18 ancient burial sites were broken into. Hawass is on top of this and he said to the committie to report if anything is missing. Hawass also believes that the looters were dropping the object as they were running away from the Egyptian Millitary. After more researching and looking around for the object they found they in crazy places like in trash cans, not damaged. Everything they thought was missing was found later on.  Response: I thought this was a crazy article because they are making such a big deal about all this stuff that was missing. Making it seem like it was a tragic thing... which it would of been if they never found the missing objects. But they did, I feel like it was a waste of time to read this article because nothing really happened . Questions: 1. Why did they make such a big deal out of it if they found all the objects that were missing?  2. Who would even try breaking in and stealing objects for the museum? 3. Will this make more tourist come and see the museum, because of this?  4. Why were the object's moved.. and not stolen? Who would just move them around? 

Before Uprising, Egyptians Lacked Faith in Honesty of Elections; Nearly all in 2009 said they would in theory support freedom of speech as a constitutional right.(survey) By: Gallup Organization Byline:Mohamed Younis Summary: In 2010 3 in every 10 people trusted the current Egyptian government. Many people thought that Mubaraks win in 2010 was rigged by people inside the government.  People in the country want in there next leader someone who listens and a lot of people want to be given freedom of religion and freedom of speech.The voting and choosing of leaders after the citizens protests is important they make the right moves and decisions for there country and the world will all be watching as this evolves carefully.  Reflection: To read this article and see that only 3 out every 10 people expressed confidence in the egyptian government, that low of a number just shocked me. No wonder everyone in the country revolted, no one trusted them. So now that the people have gotten rid of there old president they need to put there trust back into the government in making a smart choice about who is going to be the next leader, and they have to make sure they pick a leader who will hear there voices, for freedom of speech and religion and more.  Questions: What do people in Egypt now think of there governmental stand? Are more people starting to believe in the government? Do the people trust the government they have in place now? What would government have to change to make people trust them again?

Egypt and Tunisia's Unfinished RevolutionsBy Issandr El AmraniSummary: After Mubarak removal from office a lot of uncertainly faces the Egyptian government. The military plays a big role in what will happen next, but first they have to clean up the mess the leaders left behind. There are a few keys for Egypt to get back on track, first getting the confidence back in the streets of the people, second the media is huge, Egypt had a been tightly controlled by government. The third key is the islamists gain, and the others to, the islamists had a lot to do in the protesting and what they thought of the president. And the last key is to made sure they have have a trade off between social justice and economic recovery, getting trust and money back into the country will be crucial.  Reflection: After reading this article and seeing the the work Egypt still has to do is a lot, getting rid of the old president was the easy part of this road to recovery. They have to establish the trust back into the people and faith back into the government. Also they have get all the business and economic stuff back and running with money flow, it took kind of a hit because the world didn't know how to react and deal to what was going on in Egypt. Egypt is now just starting the long road to getting the people trust and the trust of other countries in them, and the world will watch closely as they decide who is there next leader.  Questions: What role does the media play in Egypt's future? What role will the military play in the next decision for leader? Does the military have to change its role in government? How will the media react to the steps Egypt takes? its important the media gives good remarks

How does the conflict in Israel affect the futures of Palestinian children compared to Israeli children?  Carey, Roane. "Letter From Palestine." The Nation 273.4 (2001): 28. Student Edition. Web. 16 Feb. 2011. Searched InfoTrak Student Edition: Israel Palestine Conflict http://find.galegroup.com/gtx/infomark.do?&contentSet=IAC-Documents&type=retrieve&tabID=T003&prodId=STOM&docId=A76563733&source=gale&srcprod=STOM&userGroupName=lom_accessmich&version=1.0 Summary: This is a letter explaining the issues between Palestine and Israel. It starts with talking about some radical Palestinian men who are bent on bombings being the way to throw off Israeli occupation. Then, the author talks about the violence between the two people groups and the futile attempts of the Palestinians to dissuade the Israelis. It also talks about the history of the conflict.  Reflection: I realized that even though we did listen to Abdullah in class, there are people who still want the bombings. I think that will have to have a play in the futures of the Palestinian children. Depending on the families of the Palestinian children, do their futures change? It's also interesting that the Palestinians are even harsh on their own government. Nothing is working in Israel. It's an issue. Questions: What are the statistics of Palestinians killed? What are the statistics of Israelis killed? Is there any way to get a kid's perspective?

Egypt's attorney general forbids Mubarak from leaving countryBy the CNN Wire Staff Summary: On Monday Egypt's general attorney froze all of old president assets and froze him and his family from leaving the country until they come up with a resolution. The general attorney issued this just days after a member from the Egypt's parliament lost his seat after filing corruption cases against other people in high authority in the government. Mubarak and his family are rumored to have a net worth of 150 million dollars. The freeze includes his house or his home away from homes, his stocks, bonds and many other financial assets that value in a lot of money. Mubarak said through his people that this is baseless rumors put upon him.   Reflection: To hear that Mubarak's family and assets are all froze is really not surprising. By freezing all of his assets and him and his family you buy your parliament some time to figure out what there next step is to complete. And by keeping them in the country you reassure yourself that he won't be leaving. But this move also marks just another crazy step in Egypt that is going on because of his past leadership, and a step i think the government needed to take so that they have some time to figure out there next move. Questions:Why did the general attorney have to decide this? What does this mean for government? What happened to the parliament guy who lost his seat? How long are him and his assets frozen?

How does North Korea's communist government and nuclear technology influence the lives of its people? Ravenscroft, Nick. "Charities warn of food shortages in North Korea." BBC News. BBC, 24 Feb. 2011. Web. 9 Mar. 2011. .Summery: Recently a group of Humanitarians went into North Korea as invited by the Government. They discovered that North Korea is in a desperate situation. They are quickly running out of food and their people are malnourished. The harvest of wheat and barley has been mostly killed by a severe cold and their veggie harvests have been low. Some people are resorting to eating wild grasses. In 1990 North Korea faced a similar situation and millions of their people died. Now North Korea is pleading for help but because of their past actions people are hesitant to give it. The US, South Korea and the UN are afraid that food they may give to North Korea will only go to serve the government elite and the military. They are also holding this over North Korea to change Nuclear policy. Reflection: I want to simply say North Korea brought this upon itself, which is somewhat true, but I can't because the people who are starving are not the people who have caused the problems. It is extremely unfair that the people who have done nothing wrong are being starved because of the actions of their government. I wish there was a simple solution but unfortunately there just isn't. Questions: 1) What options do the US, South Korea and the UN have to get people in North Korea food?2) If the North Korean government is pleading for help, will they be willing to compromise for it?3) How is the North Korean government going to deal with the issues they have created for themselves?

How does the conflict in Israel affect the future of Israeli children compared to Palestinian children? Summary: This article is discussing whether or not the uprisings in the Middle East will spread to the palestinian lands. Given the fact that the leaders in the Palestinian lands no longer believe in the effectiveness of Israeli peace talks, the thought is that the spirit of the riots being held in neighboring countries will be caught by the Palestinian people. The attempt is to become recognized as a sovereign state; before this was to be attempted through peace talks, now the thought of many is to forgo the peace talks and deal directly with the international community.  Reflection: Our research question was focused mainly on the Israeli conflict alone; however, with the current rebellions and unrest in the rest of the MIddle East, it makes logical sense to explore their effect on this conflict as well. It is very true that these uprisings may lead to a want for an expedited statehood. We will just have to see how this all plays out.  

Research Question: How does the conflict in Israel affect the future of Israeli children compared to Palestinian children? Summary: This article states that the Palestinian leadership in the West Bank is planning on holding general elections by September. This has been brought about as a response to the TV leaks, and the unrest in the surrounding Arab countries. This is an attempt to end the conflict between the Hamas and the West Bank. However, this article does not think that the Hamas will respond favorably to this call for democracy. But with the unrest in the surrounding nations, they might be pushed into cooperation.  Reflection: If these elections do in fact take place, this would mean a dramatic change for the future generation of Palestinians and Israelis alike. If Palestine could become an independent state, this would mean that there would hopefully be an end to the conflict that is associated with the borders. However, this is not certain. The Palestinians best hope would be to get the recognition of the UN. Unfortunately, this could be a challenge due to the relations held between the US and Israel, and the veto power that the US holds. This would also have an effect on the future generation of Israeli citizens. As the conflict would almost certainly dissolve to an extent or reach a boiling point that would inevitably lead to military action. The occurrence of these elections -- or lack thereof -- has the potential to entirely reshape the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.