Update

Libya

Libya at this point has become a failed State with Anti-Government Protesters now armed and in control of Eastern Libya and parts of the west while Pro Gadaffi forces in control of the West. Some 75+% of oil production facilities are in control of Anti-Government forces while Gadaffi continues attacks to on these areas to regain control. In the past 24 hours Gadaffi forces have surrounded the City of Az Zawiyah just to the southwest of Tripoli and have been firing heavy artillery from all sides and using heavily armored vehicles in an attempt to break through Anti-Government forces who shakely hold control.

Yemen

Tens of thousands protest across the country calling for the Presidents Resignation after a day earlier when Government forces opened fire on protester killing four and wounding many more. Saleh, who has been in power for 32 years has rejected an opposition proposal for him to step down by the end of 2011.

Bahrain

Many thousands continue to protest in the tiny nation which is approaching its third week. Government has agreed to meet to discuss reforms days after violence broke out between pro and anti Government protesters.

Thousands pour into the streets after Government rejects calls for a Constitutional Monarchy which would strip the executive powers from the current King Abdullah. The Government is rejecting calls for any change.  

Iraq

Thousands of protester converge on the capital and other locations around the country demonstrating against Governmental Corruption and for better Public Services.

Iran

70 plus activists arrested in protests the Iranian Government insists is not happening. Massive police and security forces have been mobilized to put down protests using tear gas and force to disburse protests.

Oman

Protests break out against Government Corruption but not there leader. Oman Leader has spent much of the Countries Wealth on Healthcare, Infrastructure, and other major projects to improve the Country. This nation also has extended Women’s rights well beyond most other Gulf States.

Bans all protests and marches in the Country. This after last week’s announcement to raise wages by 15 percent and allocating several hundred billion dollars to be spent across the country to improve education, housing, healthcare, and other national projects.

Fresah protests and marches now focusing in on Justice for those who have commited crimes against the people of Egypt. Travel bans on Mubarak and others as well as some arrests and charges have begun. New Transitional Prime Minister addresses huge crowd in Tahrir (Liberation) Square claiming if he can not bring democratic reforms he will resign and join them.

The men are understood to have left Benghazi bound for Malta on board the Royal Navy frigate HMS Cumberland.

Unemployment And The Arab Revolution
March 4, 2011: Libyans are rebelling against their dictatorial government, and one of the complaints is a lack of jobs. The unemployment rate is believed to be about 30 percent. Yet there are over a million foreign workers in Libya, and a million government employees. The foreigners comprise 20 percent of the population, and nearly half the workforce. There are plenty of jobs for Libyans, but most of the jobs require work most Libyans will not do. As a result, most of the jobs are held by foreigners, often illegal immigrants from Egypt and other African nations to the south. A revolution is unlikely to change this.
This is not an unusual situation in the Arab oil states. In Saudi Arabia, the unemployment rate is 12 percent, but many of those men are unemployed by choice. Arabs tend to have a very high opinion of themselves, and most jobs available to poorly educated young men, do not satisfy. Thus most Saudis, and Libyans, prefer a government job, where the work is easy, the pay is good, the title is flattering, and life is boring. In the non-government sector of the economy, 90 percent of the Saudi jobs are taken by foreigners. These foreigners comprise 27 percent of the Saudi population, mostly to staff all the non-government jobs. This means most young Saudi men have few challenges. One might say that many of them are desperate for some test of their worth, and a job in the competitive civilian economy does not do it. Thus al Qaeda appealed to this by urging Saudi men to come to Iraq and fight for Islam. Since few of the volunteers had any fighting skills, most arrived and were talked into being suicide bombers.

The Saudi employment situation is not unique. The UAE (United Arab Emirates) has foreigners occupying 99 percent of the non-government jobs. The unemployment rate is 23 percent, but only a tenth of those are actually looking for a job. A survey indicated that most of the unemployed are idle by choice. Kuwait is more entrepreneurial, with only 80 percent of the non-government jobs taken by foreigners. The other Gulf Arab states (which have less oil) have a similar situation.

Thus even if Libyans succeed in ousting the current dictatorship, they will still have to deal with the jobs situation. Many of the several hundred thousand foreign workers who have fled the country will want to come back when things settle down. And many of them will be desperately needed, because the foreigners have essential skills required to keep the economy going. Meanwhile, more government jobs is not a solution, because even the current government announced, last year, a plan for  eliminating 400,000 government jobs over the next few years. This is one reason many Libyans joined the rebels, but the government jobs will still have to go, because there is not enough oil revenue to sustain the current government payroll. The jobs situation is one the major problems in Libya, and one that rarely gets talked about. But it's a problem that won't go away.

The Arab League of Nations has asked the United Nations for a NO FLY ZONE over Libya

Yemen begins to Unravel as senior government and military leaders defect or decline to be part of the current governmet.

Syria starting to bubble over after days of protests and 25 to 100 people dead after violent crackdown by Government. Government now scrambling with announcements today of (Promised Reforms). Angry protesters call for a massive nationwide protest Friday, the Government has responded by deploying massive numbers of Security Forces.

Syria

Many thousands of people in the streets in Daraa and spreading to other cities. Government Opens fire on Anti-Government Protesters in Daraa killing 50+. Violent Oppression—You would have to have no fear to March Here.

Yemen

Tens of thousands in the streets in a “Day of Departure Protest”, while the President blames it on Shia Groups and Drug Dealers. Big disconnect here

Jordon

Thousands in the streets, 2 Anti-Government Protesters are beaten to death and hundreds are injured including riot police. The Prime Minister responds with a Threat (I warn of consiquences).

Libya

Control of the Air is for the most part is done, military ground targets are being taken out more targets by the day, NATO takes control of the mission. Arab Planes are flying over libya enforcing No Fly Zone. Anti-Government Forces take back City (Ajdabiya) with Coalition help from the Air. Many Gaddafi tanks, artillery, and armored vehicles still smoldering around the city as Anti Government Forces Celebrate the small win. Move now to retake Brega along the Coast which Gaddafi Rolled through with Tanks and Armored forces more than a week ago.

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And not to be out-done a quarter of a million march in UK streets to protest against Cuts and Corporate Handouts (Bailouts).

Libya

 Antigovernment forces capture western border crossing with Tunisia.

 European Countries decide to put non lethal Boots on the ground in Libya to help Rebel Forces organize and strategize.

US adds Predator Drones to Libyan Theatre with strikes starting today.  Republican Senator visits Benghazi and says he will demand more money for the Anti Government Forces.  Gaddafi forces reportedly withdrawing from the besieged city of Misratah where hundreds have been killed in recent Government Attacks.

 Syria

 On Friday tens of thousands have joined the Atigovernment demonstrations in more than 40 cities.

 Assad decides to crack down with tear gas and live fire killing atleast 75 people in a single day.

 Two Syrian Legislators of Parliament have stepped down and are outraged at the violent crack down and deaths of Pro Democracy Demonstrators.

 US Officially condemns Syria (Assad) for Outrageous Violence against its People.

 Today Syrian Security Forces have opened fire on several funeral procession gatherings which are estimated in the thousands as the Syrian people become enraged with its government and Assad.