governmentality

Egypt's Top Muslim Cleric Dies in Saudi Arabia

Sheikh Mohammed Sayyed Tantawi, the Grand Sheikh of al-Azhar University and the Grand Imam of al-Azhar Mosque in Egypt, died of a heart attack during a trip to Saudi Arabia.

Tantawi, 81, was in Riyadh to attend the King Faisal awards ceremony, it said. Tantawi's moderate views has rankled hard-liners.

The news of his death was "an indescribable shock," his son Amr Tantawi told Egyptian television.

al-Azhar, as the state's religious institution, has played an important role (with Tantawi's help) in normalizing Egypt into a moderate Muslim country--andTantawi was even considered a liberal on some issues.

Read the full report al-Arabiya.

The Tea Party at the Ballot Box

Morning Quickfire: 3/9/10

"al-Qaeda 7 Smear Campaign is an Assault on American Values" (Washington Post)

"Biden Calls Ties Between U.S. and Israel 'Unshakable'" (New York Times)

"Critics Question Whistleblower Bill" (Politico)

"Northrup Grumman Pulls Out of Tanker Bid" (Politico)

Israel & Syria Announce They Want Nuclear Energy

How about this for timing? Yesterday, both Israel and Syria announced they wish to develop nuclear energy at the International Conference on Nuclear Energy in Paris.

The announcement raised the prospect that both Syria, which has been investigated by the U.N. nuclear watchdog over its alleged attempt to build a secret nuclear reactor and Israel, which is rumored to have secretive nuclear activities, would could come under the microscope of international inspectors.

Of course, the international community will be compelled to allow Israel to have it. And the international community will also be compelled to keep Syria from having it--especially given its ties Iran. Nonetheless, it was smart for Syria to simultaneously articulate their wishes at an international question because they can now force the question: why them and not us?

But, more importantly, why is Israel choosing this moment for approval when we've "known" they have a nuclear weapon all this time?

And, Israel isn't exactly good with transparency--are they really going to allow inspectors to do the required work? What will the international community be prepared to do if not?

5 Things to Watch for This Week: 3/8/10

1) Eric Massa resigned last week and now embattled New York Governor David Paterson may appoint a replacement for Massa, if state law permits him to. Otherwise, it's a special election. What kind of push will we see on that from Democrats who don't want to risk losing a seat to Republicans?

2) After slowly gaining speed last week, will there be any real blowback for Liz Cheney's attack on Gitmo attorneys this week?

 3) George Mitchell doesn't have the clout to pull off the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks alone with this crowd. So, the new tag team duo of Mitchell and Joe Biden are off to Jerusalem. But Biden's experience with Israeli-Palestinian issues is severely limited and if there was ever an opportunity for Biden to say the wrong thing, this is it. Will bringing Biden help or hurt the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks?

4) With the Turkish ambassador to the United States called home for consultation over the House Foreign Affairs Committee vote confirming the Armenian Genocide, when will the ambassador return and what will U.S.-Turkish relations be like? 

5) There's always a shake-up at the top of any administration after the first year. And there seems to be a lot of pressure for David Axelrod to be the first to go. Will there be a shape-up or ship-out policy any time soon? 

Karl Rove Still Won't Answer a Question

Karl Rove showed up on the Today Show to talk with Matt Lauer about his book. Amazing that he thinks he had nothing to do with negative campaigning.

And then it gets a little more personal.

Morning Quickfire: 3/8/10

Republicans Scold Liz Cheney (Politico)

Ethnic Violence in Nigeria Kills 500, Officials Say (New York Times)

Pelosi Puts Two Distracting Issues Aside to Press Forward on Health (The Hill)

The Scary New Rich (Newsweek)

Sunday Talk Shows: 3/7/10

On tap this week:

NBC's Meet the Press: Kathleen Sebelius;Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services; Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah); Fmr. Rep. Harold Ford Jr. (D-Tenn.)Chair, Democratic Leadership Council; E.J. Dionne, Columnist, WaPo; Rich Lowry, Editor, National Review

CBS' Face the Nation: Sen. Evan Bayh(D-Ind.); Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.); Dan Balz, WaPo; Jim VandeHei, Politico 

ABC's This Week: HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius; Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.); The Roundtable: George Will, Donna Brazile, Torie Clarke & Robert Reich

Catch the full line-up at FishbowlDC.

CNN's Sourcing on "Anthrax Killer" Continues to Cook the Story

It is absolutely stunning that CNN has chosen to air an interview with Jean Duley by Joe Johns on "Knowing the Anthrax Killer." The anthrax killer being Bruce Ivins, the military scientist who reportedly committed suicide as the FBI was closing the case on 2001 anthrax letter, with Ivins being the sender.

Why is it so stunning?

Because the press already relied on using Duley as an "expert" on Ivins' mental state at the time of his death, only to later back off of her when they found out she is as unreliable of a source as they come given her repeated DUIs, drug charges and the complaint filed by her ex-husband for battery.

See Glenn Greenwald's post with documentation ("Additional Key Facts re: The Anthrax Investigation") on this and my post ("Making Ivins Crazy").

The press also repeatedly referred to Duley as a psychologist or a psychiatrist, while in all actuality she was a social worker. Ironically, one who deals with addiction issues. Yet, you'll see her offer her own brand of psychoanalysis in the interview below.

The question I'm asking CNN is why they revived this obviously (and inexcusably) unreliable source? I'll update you if I get a response.

Morning Quickfire: 3/5/10

Obama Advisers Set to Recommend Military Tribunals for Alleged 9/11 Plotters (Washington Post)

The Washington Post's Employment of a Fear Mongering Smear Artist (Salon)

State Polls Show Gathering Storm (Politico)

Senator Bunning's Universe (New York Times)