Uncertain about the political upheaval in the Middle East, and what it might mean for the millions of people living under varying degrees of oppression? Hey, Stupid — get ahead of the curve, because there's some serious money to be made in the region right now, in the high-end yacht market! Skeptical? Then just ask Erwin Bamps, the head of luxury ship builder Gulf Craft, who spoke to the Times just ahead of the Abu Dhabi Yacht Show:

Operation Odyssey Dawn continues! Freedom bombs continue to rain down upon Libya today, while coalition nations try to stave off political divisions back home. A majority of Americans, however, support the creation of a no-fly zone. Rep. Dennis Kucinich would like to impeach Barack Obama. And what does "Odyssey Dawn" mean anyway? Here's your latest update of the news in and surrounding Libya.

The Sarah Palin 2011 World Tour has invaded Israel, America's strongest ally in the Middle East. This jaunt follows an upscale shopping mall trip to India earlier in weekend. It's all coming together, folks! Let's see how Sarah Palin has been enjoying her time in the Holy Land.

Yesterday, forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi came under a blistering attack by U.S. and European naval and air forces. Meanwhile, anti-government protests continued today in Syria as U.S.-backed despots violently suppressed those who threaten the status quo. Here's a look at what's happening across the Middle East.

After Bahrain's security forces entered the capital's Pearl roundabout to "cleanse" it of antimonarchy protesters and attacked hospitals yesterday, the country's rulers today arrested at least six prominent opposition members. According to the AP:

Before dawn this morning, security forces in Bahrain attacked Manama's Pearl roundabout — the focal point of that country's month-long antimonarchy protests — killing at least six, setting fires and firing teargas. But they didn't stop there. According to a doctor who spoke to CNN, Yousif Sharaf, a hospital in Manama has been attacked, too:

President Obama is seriously wearing on the patience of America's most war-loving war lovers, the Washington neoconservatives. Why won't Obama be reasonable and just let them have their endless War in Libya? Muammar Qaddafi is strengthening his grip and moving east, so the window of opportunity for invading another decentralized tribal country and then spending a dozen years there while alienating everyone in the region is closing. And so the neocons have banded together to write Obama a sternly worded letter asking for their war, please, now.

Saudi Arabia has sent roughly 1,000 troops into neighboring Bahrain to buttress the shaky royal regime there in the face of relentless street protests, according to Al-Jazeera. And the United Arab Emirates has "dispatched a security force" to preserve order.

USA Today reports that over 800 people were injured today when the government of Bahrain called in plain clothes thugs and police to disperse protesters in the capital, Manama.

Anti-Qaddafi rebels continued to lose ground to government loyalists today, as the eastern town of Brega fell and a mass exodus began toward Benghazi. Meanwhile, the Arab League has asked the UN Security Council to impose a no-fly zone over the country.

Libyan rebels were pushed out of the oil town of Zawiyah today under a heavy assault by pro-Qaddafi forces on the ground and in the air. Things aren't looking too good for the rebels right now: They've lost a lot of momentum, and President Obama, though he's stuck with the "Qaddafi must go" line, has refused to offer any real support to rebel forces. All he would say in a press conference today was that when it comes to U.S. military actions, whether it's a no-fly zone or other options, you've got to balance costs versus benefits. And I don't take those decisions lightly."

Bracing for a planned "Day of Rage" tomorrow, Saudi Arabia's scumbag foreign minister Prince Saud al-Faisal said that the ruling family will "cut off any finger" that is raised against it. At a press conference yesterday, he told reporters:

The violent government crackdowns on protests across the Middle East this year are apparently starting to weigh on the minds of Western governments who supply despots with the latest, greatest killing machines on the market. Well, sort of.

As deadly fighting in several Libyan cities continues, reports claim that an elite British SAS unit was captured by rebels. Meanwhile, protesters in Bahrain are stepping up pressure on the ruling elite. Here's what's happening across the Middle East.

The struggle to oust Muammar Qaddafi from power in Libyan has essentially become a civil war, and anti-government protests are showing few signs of letting up from Algeria to Iraq. Here's the latest from the Middle East and North Africa.

President Obama kept up the American pressure on Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi this afternoon, stating plainly, "Muammar el-Qaddafi has lost the legitimacy to lead, and he must leave." Obama has also authorized military aircraft to help evacuate refugees.

Libyan dictator Muammar Qaddafi, the benevolent leader who bombs his own people, has granted an interview to ABC's Christiane Amanpour — a sure sign that his days are numbered. Although he certainly doesn't think that. Why would they overthrow me? he explains to Amanpour. "My people love me. They would die for me." Well, okay.

The UN Security Council is meeting today to discuss Libya, while Muammar el-Qaddafi continues to kill his own people. Also, parts of Tripoli are fighting back. Here's a look at what's happening across the Middle East and North Africa today:

Out of the pure goodness of his heart, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia today announced that he's giving out $10.7 billion worth of benefits to his subjects, including a streamlined housing loan process and 15 percent pay raise for government employees! The people of Saudi Arabia will be remain very happy and won't be inclined to complain about anything, ever! [BBC; AJE]

Libyan dictator Muammar Qaddafi expanded on his brief but legendary comments from yesterday in a much longer address to the nation today. He rambled for well over an hour about random stuff, much like he did in his first speech to the United Nations in 2009. For example: "It's impossible for the youth to follow anyone else. If not Qaddafi, who else would they follow? Somebody with a beard?" Yes. Wait, what?