The question was:
>When the Internet can be shut down in countries like this so easily, what are the best mechanisms for a resistance to use for organizing?

So, if we are trying to help dissidents, why would you want to shut down mesh networks – unless you are part of the police state.

my understanding of mesh networks is that they cope very well with individual nodes being shut down – by automaticallt re-routing traffic.

The best method of communications for a resistance to use for organising is face to face meetings in a secure location. Not very convenient for a spread out group.

If that is not possible then a mobile solution having international access would probably be best.
Cell phones are not highly secure, but GSM with an anonmous single use sim cards and throw away handsets would be good enough to protect the RF interface. The problem there is that governments do not usually intercept at the RF layer. They tend to capture the call using covert conference call set-ups with the cooperation of the carrier.

NSA could probably counter anonymous SIMS, but I doubt that the intel services in any of the Arab Spring dictatorships could.

I don’t see why mesh networks would be a particularly good solution. Why would that be better than encrypted e-mail.

I would suggest an anonymous protected private file server using a strongly encrypted virtual hard drive having a folder for each recipient.

Mesh doesn’t really help unless everyone has access to its infrastructure. Let’s look at some case examples:

• Local Mesh : Okay … it is true they can communicate with one another without touching the monitoring system. But they’re more than likely close enough in proximity they may as well meet in person.

• Remote Mesh : In order to effectively have a carrier such that remote terminals can mesh in means that direction finding equipment will locate the transmitter and shut the mesh down. Not effective.

• Mesh to Internet : Many people keep thinking pirate networks are the key to it all … if the government has effectively shut down the Internet (think Middle Eastern countries), you can mesh all you want but you’re only going to see internal material unless somebody has an uplink somehow (satellite, etc).

As to the last point, that’s why the US is attempting to field Internet in a Suitcase solutions to help seed rebellions in countries like that.