Arabs seem quite emboldened lately, following the street's victory over two storied dictatorships in as many months---and to observers, the sentiment seems to be trending. Protesters clashed with security forces in Yemen, Bahrain and Algeria over the weekend, while the Palestinian parliament was dissolved, as populist dissent sweeps the region, and longstanding governmental centerpieces seem reactively eager to roll out concessions to those weary of the status quo. Stateside, President Obama will introduce his 2012 budget today. Those privy to the plan’s contents say Obama will shave $1.1 trillion off the deficit over the next decade. But be prepared for a battle of ideologies as what to cut becomes as much a flashpoint between parties as how much to cut in this age of austerity.
Top headlines:
- Mideast Unrest Spreads (Wall Street Journal)
- Budget Sets Battle Over Cuts (USA Today)
- Word and Lyric, Giffords Labors to Speak Again (New York Times)
- Grammy Awards: Lady Antebellum, Arcade Fire take top honors (L.A Times)
- McCain Says ‘We Should Have Seen This Coming’ in Egypt (Bloomberg)
- John Boehner: 'Not My Job' to Convince Skeptics on Obama Birth and Religion (L.A Times)
- GOP Blasts Obama’s Proposed Budget Plan (Washington Post)