Arab Awakening: USA in tight spot over Bahrain

Bahrain a key US ally, yet government is unrepresentative

While one can expect some USA support for democratic liberation movements in Algeria, Libya and Iran, the situation in Bahrain must be troubling for US President Barack Obama.

According to a February 18 report on TODAYonline.com:

Army patrols and tanks locked down the capital of this tiny Gulf kingdom yesterday after riot police swinging clubs and firing tear gas smashed into demonstrators, many of them sleeping, in a pre-dawn assault that uprooted a protest camp set up to demand political change.

Medical officials said four people were killed.

Hours after the attack on Manama's main Pearl Square, the military announced on state TV that it had "key parts" of the capital under its control and that gatherings were banned.

A meeting of Gulf Arab foreign ministers was scheduled in Bahrain yesterday to discuss the unrest in the island kingdom, while US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton telephoned her Bahraini counterpart to express concern and urged restraint.

The developments marked a major crackdown by the island nation's rulers to put an end to days of protests inspired by Egypt's revolt against Mr Hosni Mubarak.

Tiny Bahrain is a pillar of Washington's military framework in the region. It hosts the US Navy's 5th Fleet, which is a critical counterbalance to Iran's efforts to expand its clout in the region.

The protesters have two main objectives: Force the ruling Sunni monarchy to give up its control over top government posts and all critical decisions and address deep grievances held by the country's majority Shias who claim they face systematic discrimination and are effectively blocked from key roles in public service and the military.

The capital Manama was effectively shut down yesterday. For the first time, tanks and military checkpoints were deployed in the streets and army patrols circulated. The Interior Ministry warned Bahrainis to stay off the streets. Banks and other key institutions did not open, and workers stayed home, unable or to afraid to pass through checkpoints to get to their jobs.


Essentially, the people of Bahrain are being confined to their homes, and being treated as criminals for requesting even minimal government changes, such as being allowed to elect some key ministers. At some point the USA will have to assist in negotiating a compromise here, because placing a lid over a boiling kettle is not a "solution" you want to leave in place for very long.

Joe College