Bahrain Slides Back

MIDDLE EAST MONARCHY

Bahrain Slides BackRONALD E. NEUMANN

THE AMERICAN INTEREST

August 4, 2016 | http://www.the-american-interest.com/2016/08/04/bahrain-slides-back/

The Bahraini monarchy has reverted to repression. That may keep a lid on sectarian unrest for now, but it’s no long-term solution.

Bahrain’s suppression of the major opposition party, Al  Wefaq, and revocation of the nationality of a leading Shi‘a religious figure appears to mark the end, at least for now, of a reform process begun in 2001. There is a theoretical, but small, chance that the crackdown will succeed and an equally small chance of widespread violence. The most likely outcome is a continuation of the economy-destroying unrest, along with further criticism from Bahrain’s allies.http://www.the-american-interest.com/2016/08/04/bahrain-slides-back/