US Politics: A Beginner's Guide to the Wisconsin Uprising

Photo: Andy Manis (AP)When you put out every moral defence of the labour movement --- in Wisconsin's case, presenting the dispute as concerning the rights of all union workers – and you lose it after a long and protracted battle, then the original credibility of the unions is destroyed. Fail in Wisconsin and it becomes that much harder, despite the differences in regional politics in the US, for unions to retain any rights elsewhere. And that is why, with demonstrations planned in at least 29 states next week, Wisconsin has become Ground Zero for the immediate future of American labour unions.

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Egypt Feature: Protesting Like An Egyptian

Another Friday...another protest. However on this occasion, it is a day of celebration. It’s a rare occurrence to find Egyptians gat,ering in mass numbers, waving their flags, for causes besides football, but this was a day of prayer, thanksgiving, requests, singing...and, yesm even remembering and forgiving Mubarak.

Tahrir Square in Cairo has established itself as a place people can chant, speak, ‘shout’ out their opinions. It reminds me of London Hyde Park’s Speakers’ corner, but only on a larger scale. A much larger scale, and louder, and...Egyptian!

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Iran Feature: My Funny Valentine's Day...at a Protest (Persian Umpire)

Although they do occupy a portion of your imagination in the days before a rally, death, being beaten or getting arrested, are not the most frightening thoughts before going to a demonstration. The worst thought, always, without exception, is whether people are going to show.

On 25 Bahman, we –-- a group of eight –-- took off toward Enghelab Square at around two o’clock in the afternoon. I kept telling everyone that it was too early for leaving; that the rally was at three o’clock and that Iranians are always fashionably late. Nevertheless, the others were too anxious to sit still and so we left.

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The Latest from Iran (21 February): The Contest Continues

2155 GMT: The 1 Esfand Casualty. Shiraz University students have announced a week of mourning for Hamed Nourmohammadi, who was allegedly thrown off a bridge by security forces during Sunday's protests.

2135 GMT: Political Prisoner Watch. Singer and composer Afshin Taheri was detained on Tuesday and is in an unknown location.

2125 GMT: 1 Esfand. Setareh Sabety offers an overview and crisp analysis of the significance of Sunday's opposition marches:

1st Esfand (Feb.20) was big enough to show that 25th Bahman (Feb.14) was not a single outburst inspired by the events in Tunis and Egypt but rather the revival of an opposition movement that continues to show signs of resilience. Iranians are pragmatists and unlike their Arab neighbors have recent experience with revolution. They will not risk life and limb unless they are sure that they are on the winning side. 1st Esfand was a step in the winning direction for the opposition in Iran.

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Latest Libya (and Beyond) Video: Last Act of a Regime?

Full speech of Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi's son Saif al Islam

Tripoli, Libya: Sunday Protest

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Libya (and Beyond) Blog: The End of Qaddafi?

2230 GMT: We're going to take a break. Overnight coverage continues via the Live Feed from Al Jazeera English.

2220 GMT: Libya's Deputy Foreign Minister Khalid Kaeem has phoned Al Jazeera Arabic: "I called in to tell you about your dismal coverage and tell you, you do not own the airwaves alone." He then said that he preferred foreign channels to Arab channels and would invite "Western" broadcasters to come into Libya and see the truth.

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Latest Iran Video: The Protests of 1 Esfand

Protests Against the Supreme Leader

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Iran Special: Protest --- From Tunisia to Egypt to the Green Movement (The Newest Deal)

As a special for today, amidst the possibility of opposition marches we post The Newest Deal's analysis of protest in North Africa, the Middle East, and Iran:

Despite what the movement's leaders, Mir-Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karoubi, are forced to say publicly, this is no longer a struggle merely aimed at "reforming" the existing system. Those days are over, and both Mousavi and Karoubi likely recognize this in private.

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China Feature: A New Location for Protests?

1030 GMT: The Associated Press posts its summary of today's events in China: "Jittery Chinese authorities staged a show of force Sunday to squelch a mysterious online call for a 'Jasmine Revolution' apparently modeled after pro-democracy demonstrations sweeping the Middle East."

0845 GMT: Police take away a protester in Shanghai:

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The Latest from Iran (20 February): So What Happens on 1 Esfand?

2225 GMT: More Political Prisoners. Tehran University School of Science student Sohrab Jafari and law student Habib Farahzadi were arrested today.

2135 GMT: More 1 Esfands. In an interview with Radio Farda, Mehdi Karroubi's advisor Mojtaba Vahedi gets to the point: he is impressed with the turnout today and there will be more protests until demands are met.

Vahedi adds that mounting casualties will only have the same effect as 1979, building up a rally of mourning.

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