Bahrain: Reform, Security, and U.S. Policy
Abstract
The uprising that began in Bahrain on February 14, 2011, following the revolt that overthrew Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak three days earlier and numerous earlier periods of unrest in Bahrain, began a political crisis that appears to defy resolution. The ongoing unrest demonstrates that the grievances of the Shiite majority over the distribution of power and economic opportunities were not satisfied by the efforts instituted during 1999-2010, or by any reform measures announced since the uprising began. The bulk of the Shiite majority in Bahrain says it demands a constitutional monarchy in which an elected parliament produces the government, but the Sunni minority believes the Shiites want nothing less than outright rule. In March 2011, Bahrain's government rejected U.S. advice by inviting direct security assistance from other Gulf Cooperation Council countries, declaring a state of emergency, forcefully suppressing demonstrations, and arresting dissident leaders and pro-opposition health care workers. Although the state of emergency ended on June 1, 2011, a "national dialogue," held in July 2011, reached consensus on only a few modest political reforms. Hopes for resolution were raised by a pivotal report by a government-appointed "Independent Commission of Inquiry" (BICI) on the unrest, released November 23, 2011, which was critical of the government's actions against the unrest as well as the opposition's responses to government proposals early in the crisis. The government asserts it has implemented many of the BICI recommendations, and says it will institute the remainder. However, stalemate on more substantial political reforms has stoked continued demonstrations and dashed hopes that a solution is in sight. The Obama Administration has not called for a change of the Al Khalifa regime, but it has criticized the regime's use of force against protesters and urged further political reform.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 21, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA584273
Entities
People
- Kenneth Katzman
Organizations
- Library of Congress