Ramadan and the Arab Summer

Ramadan began today for Muslims around the world, a month of abstinence from food and drink from sunrise to sunset. Its themes include personal commitment, purity and sacrifice. In politically troubled countries, will that mean more protest and more government retaliation or a stand down by both sides? In Syria, where the government conducted a bloody crackdown yesterday, protesters have plans for increased activity. In Egypt, youth leaders say they'll suspend sit-ins in Tahrir Square. Nicholas Blanford is a Beirut-based correspondent for the Christian Science Monitor.