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January 31, 2011 View this newsletter as a web page on CFR's website. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY - Protestors Increase Pressure in Egypt - Myanmar Opens First Parliament in Decades - Niger Votes to End Military Rule - U.S. Will Not Suspend Haiti Aid Top of the Agenda: Protestors Increase Pressure in Egypt Tens of thousands of Egyptian demonstrators remained in central Cairo for the seventh day of anti-government demonstrations demanding the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak. The activists have vowed to stay until Mubarak leaves office (FT). Opposition leaders said they were organizing the largest demonstrations yet for Tuesday--a "march of millions" (NYT). The BBC reported that the military has cordoned off Cairo's central square with tanks, but is letting people come and go despite the violation of a government-imposed curfew. Egyptian police failed to put down pro-democracy demonstrations last week, and the army was mobilized Friday night. The U.S. Embassy is preparing to evacuate American citizens (WashPost), diplomatic families, and non-essential embassy personnel. The opposition has tentatively settled on pro-democracy activist and Nobel laureate Mohamed ElBaradei as the interim leader in any negotiations with the government (WSJ). ElBaradei told reporters that he has the "popular and political support'' necessary to begin the process of forming a unity government and that he would be seeking contact with the army to discuss a political transition. Analysis: This issue guide provides a range of background and analysis on the protests in the Middle East and North Africa. Egypt's protests put it on the threshold of dramatic change, but a range of factors, including the role of the military, will have a critical bearing on the outcome of the crisis, says CFR's Steven Cook. This article from ForeignPolicy.com examines how the Iranian regime views the Arab protests. Background: This CFR Contingency Planning Memo discusses political instability in Egypt and assesses the possibility of a troubled leadership succession or an Islamist push for political power, the implications for the United States, and policy steps the U.S. government might take. MIDDLE EAST: Oman Reveals 'UAE Spy Network' Oman claims to have uncovered a United Arab Emirates spy network (al-Jazeera), which targeted its government and military. Experts suggest the UAE might want to know more about Iran-Oman relations because of its history of security and military cooperation. PACIFIC RIM: Myanmar Opens First Parliament in Decades Myanmar convened its first parliament (WSJ) in twenty-two years, a move that precedes the selection of a new president for a regime that has been controlled by the military since the 1960s. Japan: Ichiro Ozawa, the Japanese powerbroker who is widely considered the architect of the Democratic party's historic 2009 victory, has been charged with political funding violations (FT). The indictment will fuel disagreement within the DPJ between Ozawa supporters and those of Prime Minister Naoto Kan. SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA: Taliban Target Police in Peshawar Bomb blasts killed six in Peshawar, Pakistan, in two separate terrorist attacks claimed by the Taliban (Dawn). Four police officers, including the deputy superintendent of police, were among the victims. Pakistan's stability is of great consequence to regional and international security. Examine the roots of its challenges, what it means for the region and the world, and some plausible futures in CFR's Crisis Guide: Pakistan. India: Protesters rallied in several Indian cities to march against government corruption and demand an effective anti-graft law (OneIndia). AFRICA: Niger Votes to End Military Rule Voters in Niger went to the polls today to choose a new president and parliament in elections to restore civilian rule (Bloomberg). The elections come as an al-Qaeda-linked group has ramped up attacks in the country and as Nigeriens recover from a record drought that put much of the country's population at risk of starvation. Tunisia: Rached Ghannouchi, the leader of a formerly banned opposition party, returned to Tunisia after twenty-one years in exile in the UK. Tunisia's interim government (TunisiaOnline) vowed to allow parties prohibited under now-ousted president Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali. CFR experts Steven Cook and Jared Cohen discuss the recent events in Tunisia, the implications for the region, and the role of social media in the protests. AMERICAS: U.S. Will Not Suspend Haiti Aid Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the United States will continue to provide aid to Haiti despite the country's electoral crisis (BBC). The Organization of American States called for government-backed candidate Jude Celestin to withdraw from the race after monitors accused his supporters of election fraud. Listen to the State Department's Kara C. McDonald discuss the recovery efforts and challenges that remain in Haiti one year after the earthquake. Mexico: Polls opened in Guerrero for the first of six governor's races (al-Jazeera) this year that will set the stage for the 2012 presidential elections. If the Institutional Revolutionary Party wins in Guerrero, analysts suggest it could be an indicator of the party's resurgence since it lost control of the presidency in 2000. EUROPE: Eurozone Inflation Exceed Targets Annual inflation (FT) for the eurozone reached 2.4 percent, exceeding the European Central Bank's January target. Economists expect the news to exacerbate the region's problems following strong rises in oil and food prices. Belarus: Vladimir Neklyayev, the second of five imprisoned opposition candidates (DeutscheWelle) in Belarus, has been released from prison. Neklyayev was charged with organizing mass protests in December against the election of President Alexander Lukashenko. EXPLORE CFR's WEBSITE:     Regions      Issues      Experts     Publications     About CFR Find CFR on Twitter and Facebook. Privacy Policy The Council on Foreign Relations does not share email addresses with third parties. Council on Foreign Relations 58 East 68th Street New York, NY 10065 Tel. +1 212.434.9400 Fax: +1 212.434.9800 Learn about this and other newsletters offered by the Council on Foreign Relations. To pause your subscription, to switch between HTML and text-only versions of the newsletter, to change your email address, or to unsubscribe, click here.

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