In late December armed police in Egypt stormed the offices of several human rights and pro-democracy NGOs across the country. One of those offices included an organization called the International Republican Institute. Egypt’s military-led government has been investigating foreign-funded groups like the IRI. These non-profit groups promote democracy worldwide. Now comes word of an escalation of that investigation. Last week, Egyptian authorities blocked the group’s Cairo chief from leaving the country. The group’s Cairo chief is the son of the transportation secretary, Ray LaHood. Joining the program is Lorne Craner, President of the International Republican Institute.