And now Bahrain

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   Paragliderposted 13 years ago

   Small beer compared with Egypt maybe, but the protests in Bahrain have to be taken seriously. For the most part, the protesters don't want to topple the monarchy, but they do want an elected majority government under a constitutional monarchy and an end to the suppression of human rights. This is also sectarian as the rulers are sunni while the majority of Bahrainis are shia.
   http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middl … 25202.html
   This one is close to 'home' for me as Doha (Qatar) is a mere 88 miles from Manama (Bahrain).

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      C.J. Wrightposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      How much of a role do you think the internet and social media is playing in these events?

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         Paragliderposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Pretty major, and so is the mainstream media like Al Jazeera. Until a few years ago, there was only state TV in the Gulf, which of course sends out a very controlled and controlling message.
         
         I don't think the protest will spread to Qatar though, because most Qataris are on a stipend from birth and well provided for. And there's a huge US base here, which would discourage Saudi cross-border involvement!

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            C.J. Wrightposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            I suspected as much. Turning it all off wont solve the problem...the jeanie is out of the bottle so to speak. I'm a little surprised by Baharain though....

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               Paragliderposted 13 years agoin reply to this

               I think we're all surprised by Bahrain. I'm no expert on this. I just happen to be local, for the last several years. We're all learning

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   lovemychrisposted 13 years ago

   It's really amazing what's going on all over the Arab world!
   I just hope ending the suppression includes women.

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      Paragliderposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      There's a long way to go in that direction, but historically women's rights have suffered more under fundamentalist regimes than under secular regimes, whether Islamic or Christian.

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   prettydarkhorseposted 13 years ago

   That is closer to you. I think one of US Navy fleet has a  headquarter there, another decision for Obama.
   
   Dave, are there lots of Filipinos there???
   
   and there are two people dead already.
   
   Thank you for the link.

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      Paragliderposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Maita - yes. 50% of the Bahrain population are ex-pat workforce, and of them maybe 1 in 15 will be filipino, so quite a few thousands, I'd say.
      
      But the immigrant community are not involved in the protest, because they are non-resident and have no rights anyway, and would immediately be repatriated if arrested. The only danger would be getting accidentally caught up in something.

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         prettydarkhorseposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Ok, we just hope the present gov't listen to their demands which is more likely as I see it. Even though this type of political process  take some time to be implemented at least it is the beginning of more reforms.

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   Greek Oneposted 13 years ago

   

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   classicalgeekposted 13 years ago

   And today Libya.

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   superwagsposted 13 years ago

   I'm happy that these awful regimes are finally being displaced. Looks as though Bahrain, Yemen, Jordan, Algeria, Lybia and Morrocco might be next. Hopefully Iran too maybe?
   
   I just hope that the regimes realise they are trying to hold back the tide and go quietly, without seding troops out to "deal" with protestors.
   
   I've been fairly encouraged with what I've seen from Egypt and Tunisia, though.

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   accofrancoposted 13 years ago

   and we have: uganda, libya, iraq, iran, yemen, Germany joining the new war...what is this telling us?

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   AnnCeeposted 13 years ago

   Came across this very interesting article about Egypt and who may be behind the uprisings in the Middle East.   Food for thought.
   
   http://news.uk.msn.com/forum/thread.asp … 46c9c38eee

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      Paragliderposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      And yet - the signs are that the only 'organised' groups in all this are the state-sponsored groups of thugs administering beatings to the protesters.

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   uncorrectedvisionposted 13 years ago

   None of this should be surprising.  Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan, Yemen, Bahrain, Indonesia - what do all these places have in common?  Now we see a hard core response from the Iranian government against the protesters in the streets. The current protest comes on the anniversary of a woman being killed by Revolutionary Guard in the Obama ignored protest from over a year ago.
   
   Iran's navy is on the move toward the Suez and Syria beyond.  If I were painting a nightmare scenario for the CIA or the Defense Department I would warn against a ship delivered nuke to Tel Aviv.

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