Here is your R&D for February 21st:
Libya protests analysis: ‘For Muammar Gaddafi it’s kill or be killed’ from the Guardian
As protests shake Libya, experts believe that leader Muammar Gaddafi sees his conflict with the protesters as a fight for his very survival and that he will not be lodged from power peacefully, as Hosni Mubarak was in Egypt.
Labor faces a moment of truth from Politico
Organized labor, which has relied on organizing public employees for decades, is fretting that if it loses in Wisconsin it could send waves throughout the country and weaken unions in battles with other state governments, which are mostly led by Republican governors.
Iran warships to begin Suez Canal passage Tuesday from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Iran is sending two naval vessels through the Suez Canal on Tuesday. The passage will cost Iran $290,000, but that is little consolation for Israel, which has said that it views the action as a provocation.
In Budget Wars, Tough Talk Hasn’t Often Led to Political Victory from the New York Times
Although Republicans are talking tough on the budget, such stances are often political losers according to the New York Times.
Gov’t shutdown threat looms over U.S. budget fight from Reuters
Senate Democrats accused House Republicans of wanting to shut down the government in a couple of weeks and pledged not to agree to the $61 billion in cuts that the GOP wants to make in federal spending through September.