Here is your R&D for February 11th:
Crisis Flummoxes White House from the Wall Street Journal
U.S. intelligence officials believed that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak was stepping down yesterday, but he shocked them by taking a more defiant stand. The move has reportedly thrown the White House foreign policy staff into disarray.
Republican divisions on display at conservative summit from the BBC
The divisions in the Republican Party were apparent at the recent CPAC. Fiscal, social, and national security conservatives butted heads and reports were that CPAC attendees were not too keen on any of the 2012 presidential hopefuls.
Foot-and-mouth outbreak hits North Korea from the Financial Times
North Korea’s food shortages are expected to get worse after a foot-and-mouth outbreak has reportedly sickened oxen, cattle, and pigs in the country. It is estimated that more than 10,000 of these animals are infected.
China stands behind resource-rich Zimbabwe: foreign minister from Reuters
Despite human rights abuses in Zimbabwe, China doesn’t seem to care, as it values Zimbabwe’s mining and agricultural sectors above all else. As a result, China supports lifting sanctions against President Robert Mugabe’s regime.
Why is Patriot Act under fire if homegrown terror threat is rising? from the Christian Science Monitor
While the Department of Homeland Security warns of domestic terror threats, lawmakers are reluctant to extend provisions of the Patriot Act. This article explains why this is the case.