With the events in Japan and Libya dominating the current news agenda it may be easy for some to forget that things are still ongoing in other parts of the world. Specifically the news in the UK has been rather quiet, until recently, concerning the pro democracy demonstrations occurring in the Middle East. It almost felt like each country was taking its turn and after an initial flurry the protesters in Bahrain and Yemen had decided to go home and wait to see how the situation developed in Libya.
   Recent developments there as well as in Syria have though made the news where ironically Bahrain called in troops from neighbouring countries to quell unrest. Ironic as the Arab league sanctioned the UN to impose a no fly zone over Libya thus defending the protesters from Gaddafi on this occasion. In Yemen 46 protesters were killed when troops opened fire, but this may have been the catalyst that caused a a number of generals to switch sides and back the protesters. After sacking his cabinet in an attempt to placate those unhappy with his regime it may be drawing to the end of Ali Abdullah Saleh's reign as President and one only hopes no more blood is shed. Similarly the protests that have started in Syria follow the path of Tunisia and not Libya.