It took the Obama Administration years to build a case against a few financial firms for their role in the 2008 oil spike, but at least they’ve gotten around to it. The people most equipped to know the existence of the problem were screaming to the government at the time that speculation, not supply and demand, was driving prices.

If the situation in Yemen weren’t serious, it would almost be comical. The trajectory of events is familiar. The Gulf Cooperation Council, an entity dominated by Saudi Arabia, comes up with a deal for President Ali Abdullah Saleh to leave power after 30 days, with elections soon after, in exchange for legal immunity from prosecution for Saleh and perhaps members of his family. Saleh agrees to it in principle. The opposition agrees. Then Saleh raises some objection and refuses to sign the agreement. I think this has happened three times now. In the latest display, the opposition actually signed the document, going further than any previous deal. Saleh initially said he would sign it despite denouncing it as a “coup.” That should have been a sign.

A deal that would have had Yemen President Ali Abdullah Saleh leave office within thirty days fell through over the weekend, as he refused to sign the deal brokered by fellow Gulf states. The formal signing ceremony was supposed to happen today.

Let’s make no mistake, this incursion into Deraa is a preface to a massacre, along the lines of the massacre of Benghazi that was halted by coalition airstrikes. Press Secretary Jay Carney tried a pass at describing Libya as a unique situation to prevent mass carnage, but you have tanks rolling into the streets of Deraa. That just doesn’t logically follow.

But Carney also said something else, letting his slip show. He said that Libya was unique because of the support of the Arab League. And that’s the real point here. Syria is a member of the Arab League, as was Libya until Moammar Gadhafi was expelled.

Congratulations, DOD, for finally charging one of the alleged worst of the worst. Now when will the government charge those who tortured al-Nashiri?

I mentioned yesterday afternoon that Syrian protesters, after completing a funeral procession in the city of Homs – the third-largest in Syria – decided to sit down in the main square and not leave until change came to the country. They lasted barely 8 hours before security forces struck in the middle of the night while the protesters slept.

Friday has been a typically major day for protests around the Arab world, so let’s take a look at what went on today.

Saudi Arabia gave up on Saleh two weeks ago. About a week later, the US tries to nudge him out the door. Period, end of story.

Yemen’s Ali Abdullah Saleh is reportedly in negotiations to end his Presidency. No deal has yet been reached, but the protesters plan to put more pressure on Saleh today after Friday prayers with a large rally outside Sanaa University, called the “Day of Departure.” The capital has become a virtual tent city, with pro-democracy activists packing the streets and calling for the President’s removal.

Riyadh has propped up Saleh in the past, even after he supported Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait. But they have also kept close contacts with the Yemeni military. I imagine their preferred outcome is a military coup.