The Middle Eastern unrest has grown from a few small gatherings of angry students to tens of thousands of protesters in multiple countries. After 31 years in power Hosni Mubarak stepped down from the presidency in Egypt. In Libya, there is general warfare taking place and a real question in the minds of diplomats and business leaders throughout the world is how it will develop.
Defense Base Act cases are likely to rise as the political and military situation in the region becomes more unstable. We ask our clients and their families to use extreme caution on and off base and in the occupied territories in the region.
Oil prices are likely to rise as Libya's oil; perhaps only 3% of the world's ready supply may be in jeopardy. Saudi Arabia has sufficient capacity to make up the difference easily, but there is still going to at least be an interim increase in prices. The United States has called on diplomats and many defense contractors to depart the region. Germany and the United Kingdom are working to send charter flights into Libya to bring out their nationals. We ask that everyone keep a close watch on local, national, and regional developments. As a practical matter, you might also consider contacting family members and keeping them apprised of your status and whereabouts. The internet has been "shut down" for a time in Egypt and severely curtailed in Yemen, Bahrain, and Libya. You might also want to pre-select a Defense Base Act attorney if an unfortunate accident should take you out of commission. Let your family know your wishes in that area should you sustain a serious injury. Check on your rights now. Protect yourself at all costs.
Travel restrictions; almost always an annoying issue; are going to get worse for the foreseeable future. We suggest you keep your valuables, identification documents, and travel documents with you at all times. We, of course, are quite hopeful that the region will settle down, become stable, and perhaps even more democratic. Still, please exercise extreme caution and take prudent steps to protect yourself.
