The US relation with Bahrain
Only about 10 miles from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain is a small island that lies in the Persian Gulf. Linked to land by a large bridge, this small country is a key playing card for the United States. Mark Tran of the guardian.co.uk reported in Bahrain protests a worry for US and its fifth fleet that Bahrain has been an ally of the United States since 1948, and in 1991 served as the US naval headquarters in the Gulf War. The country has continued to be a military partner of the US, acting as an ally at start of the War on Terror in 2001 by providing bases for US aircraft and immediately cutting any funds that the government suspected to be benefiting terrorists.
According to The Voice of Russia in New York City article titled US does not want to lose Bahrain, Andrei Ptashnikov writes, "The 5th fleet of the US has been deployed on one of the islands of Bahrain for many years. The fleet's ships take part in almost all military operations of the US in that region, which is almost permanent there. The military base in Bahrain is also one of the key ones for the supply of the US troops in Iraq and Afghanistan." And, despite Bahrain's size, the country is considerably rich in the production of oil, gas, and bauxites, which makes the United States even more interested in its security.
The Conflict
Protesters in Bahrain want a constitutional monarchy. Officially, the country's government is already considered to be so, but many citizens (mostly young adults) are not satisfied with the current rule. Some protesters are demanding that their king step down, while others fight for the removal of the king's brother from power, who serves as the Prime Minister. The ever-present tension between the Shiite Muslims and Sunni Muslims continues to burn, as well.
There is currently much unrest throughout the Shiite Muslim population - there is a growing complaint that they are being discriminated against while the Sunnis, who make up only 30% of the population, are being favored by the government. According to Sarah A. Topol of AOL news, thousands of people have joined in the protest. The king has agreed to release a few political prisoners to quiet the protesters, but the chances of their backing down without him stepping down are slim.
Effects on the United States and other Countries
The uprisings in Bahrain are a concern for the US, Saudi Arabia, and other "neighboring" countries. Its key location and wealth in oil and other natural resources makes it a valuable and strategic country, both militarily and monetarily. The governments allied and involved with the Bahraini government, especially the United States, fear that new developments will endanger valuable partnerships. The US and Saudi Arabia are strongly encouraging the Bahraini government to make a truce with the protesters and solve the conflict as quickly as possible.
Deidre Dicker - Hi everybody! I'm a student at the University of New England with a major in English. I love to write and I love comments from my readers! ...
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