Colleges and universities in the area have been scrambling this week to bring students and faculty back from study abroad programs in Egypt after the State Department issued a travel advisory for U.S. citizens in the country.

As night falls on the ninth day of the people's revolt in Egypt, the country's future isn't the only thing that is uncertain. It has yet to be seen whether Egypt is in the midst of a true revolution, or more of a coup d'etat. From Iran to Algeria, history provides a number of models that may be clues to what an Egypt without Hosni Mubarak could look like.

A few hours after Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak released a recorded statement saying he would not seek re-election this Fall, WNYC's Kristen Clark visited "Little Egypt" in Astoria, Queens to get reaction to Mubarak's statements, and the pro-democracy protests taking place around the Arab world.

Census figures show about 50,000 people of Egyptian ancestry live in New York and New Jersey combined. Most Egyptians are Muslim, but about 10 percent of the country’s population is Coptic Christian. They are the largest minority group in Egypt and, in recent days, many in the New York metro area have been following news of Egyptian protests with less excitement than trepidation.

You’ve heard the phrase, “lead, follow or get out of the way.” In these cases, we can do a little of each: leading in declaring unwavering support for democratic principles, following the events with support for proper process and the safety of local populations, and making sure we play no role in obstructing the astonishing show of popular expression or the subsequent march toward new, fair elections — whether in Egypt and or wherever people rise up next.

Check out the interactive timeline of subtly changing statements about Egypt by US officials.

The Jordanian king’s recent dismissal of the Prime Minister triggered dramatic statements by the press, asking “is Jordan next?” While the political change in Jordan seems to fit into the narrative of Tunisia and Egypt inspiring protests all over the Middle East, in reality, the change is a regular part of Jordanian politics.

#Egyptians have won. No matter how long it takes 4 #Mubarak 2 leave already, let's take this moment and say MABROUK (CONGRATS) EGYPT. #JAN25

—@monaeltahawy, Egyptian American columnist, blogger, and activist.

Welcome to the premier edition of a brand new special podcast from The Takeaway, covering the mass protests in Egypt and its consequences for the wider Arab World.

This episode features a recap of the day's events with New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof; a "face in the crowd" interview with Egyptian actor and protester Amr Waked; a deep look at the difference between the police and the Army in Egypt and a Takeaway from this morning's show.

Thousands of people have been demonstrating in the streets of Egypt for more than a week, and the army has backed them all the way. That's in stark contrast to the protesters' relationship with the police which has been strained for the past few decades of President Mubarak's regime.

Actor Amr Waked is best known to Western audiences for his role in the George Clooney oil movie Syriana, but this week, he has been protesting along with millions of his countrymen in Tahrir (Liberation) Square in Cairo, as the Egyptian people rise up in an attempt to overthrow President Hosni Mubarak, who has ruled the country for 30 years.

I don’t think it at all inappropriate to rescind any further military aid until a list of basic democratic reforms are in place, including freedom of the press. I don’t believe it grandstanding for the President of the United States of America to come out unequivocally for their right to democratic self-determination. Whether it has any chance of passing or not, it would not be an empty gesture to bring a motion to the United Nations to call for open elections, monitored by international observers.

As pro-democracy movements spread throughout the Arab world, we want to check in with those who have previously walked down the path towards revolution. If you were witness to, or affected by, a major political transformation anywhere in the world, tell us your story — and any lessons you can offer the Egyptian people.

Leaders of Egyptian Christians are among those in New York who have paid close attention to the protests in Egypt and have called on Coptic congregations to pray and fast for peace for the first three days of this week.

Confused about the situation in Egypt? You're not alone. On this morning's Brian Lehrer Show, Shadi Hamid, director of research at the Brookings Doha Center and fellow at the Saban Center for middle East Policy, answered questions from callers and It's a Free Country commentators about the uprising: how it started, where it's headed, and what Egyptians really want from the United States.