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rfmcdonaldThis is pretty far from being the smartest move for the Bahraini royal family.
The general consensus over at the discussion on my Facebook page is that, by not continuing the dialogue with Bahrainis that could have created a constitutional monarchy lacking in discrimination against the Shia majority, the Bahraini monarchy has instead chosen to retain control by importing troops from its conservative neighbour--itself apparently to be supported by troops from Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates--so as to prop up its throne upon foreign bayonets. There may be, as commenters at Facebook and elsewhere speculate, a split between moderates and hard-liners within the royal family, but the institution of the Bahraini monarchy has been discredited by its decision to stop trying to bargain with its subjects and instead aim for a Saudi protectorate of one kind or another. Not good from Bahrain's perspective. Saudi Arabia, mind, may find this the least bad option; anything that limits the spread of democratic sentiments to its territory, especially to its own Shia minority, would be good.
A military force from Bahrain's Gulf neighbors entered the tiny island nation Monday in an apparent attempt to restore order as anti-government demonstrations escalate.
The Bahrain Defense Force confirmed the arrival of military units from a special Gulf Cooperation Council security force. The Council is a regional economic and military alliance comprised of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Oman.
A Saudi official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media, told the Associated Press that the force would secure key buildings. The U.S. Embassy in Bahrain advised American citizens to stay in their residences.
Protesters who have been calling for democratic reforms have successfully shut down large swaths of Manama, the capital city, and Bahraini security forces have fought back with teargas and rubber bullets. Pro-government civilians have in some cases attacked protesters with sticks, knives and swords; the protesters have responded with rocks and other objects, witnesses have said.
Witnesses in Manama said that most downtown businesses were closed Monday.
Authorities in Saudi Arabia, which is connected to Bahrain by a causeway, have looked at its smaller neighbor with growing nervousness, fearful that a victorious Shia majority in Bahrain could embolden Saudi Arabia's own Shiite minority in nearby oil-rich Eastern Province. They are also worried about Iran exploiting the situation off their coast, although American officials have said that they do not believe Iran has been involved in the Bahrain protests.
The general consensus over at the discussion on my Facebook page is that, by not continuing the dialogue with Bahrainis that could have created a constitutional monarchy lacking in discrimination against the Shia majority, the Bahraini monarchy has instead chosen to retain control by importing troops from its conservative neighbour--itself apparently to be supported by troops from Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates--so as to prop up its throne upon foreign bayonets. There may be, as commenters at Facebook and elsewhere speculate, a split between moderates and hard-liners within the royal family, but the institution of the Bahraini monarchy has been discredited by its decision to stop trying to bargain with its subjects and instead aim for a Saudi protectorate of one kind or another. Not good from Bahrain's perspective. Saudi Arabia, mind, may find this the least bad option; anything that limits the spread of democratic sentiments to its territory, especially to its own Shia minority, would be good.
