I'm no political guru. I think I have a good handle on how things work and I like to be informed. I feel like I'm writing an 8th grade current events assignment. But I've have a few people ask me why Bahrain isn't Egypt. I'll give you my point of view & then I have two really good links by the BBC News.
Why Bahrain isn't Egypt: In my opinion
Bahrain is not perfect. The major problem with Bahrain is that they are ruled by a minority (in numbers) and the majorities are treated like minorities. The ruling sheik's family is Sunni. Most Bahrainis are Shiite. The parliament, ministry and law enforcement are mostly Sunni; and a good percentage of them are imported. Imported meaning they are Pakistani, Indian, and Iranian Sunnis. The Shiite population lives mostly in the poorer parts of town and don't get the "good jobs".
I'm sure there are other contributing factors to the whole mess, but that is a simple & sweet explanation. The ruling Sheik has had their position passed down for over 100 years. The government runs much like the British, which makes sense because they were ruled by Britain until 1971. (Even the plugs are still British, the weird flat, three-pronged kind)
Why Bahrain won't turn into Egypt or Tunisia? I just don't think they've got the manpower or backing. Did you know that over 50% of Bahrain's population is expats? Oil, Embassy, and the Navy Base. Bahrain is home to the 5th Fleet. And did you know that the first oil well in the Gulf was discovered and pumped here in Bahrain? Unfortunately, their wells aren't as productive as those elsewhere. They should get a finder's fee or something. Anyway, Bahrain is a foreign country to most of its residents; India, Southeast Asia, Philippines, Sri Lanka & Madagascar to name a few. I am hard pressed to even run into a Bahraini. You know when I do? At the gas pump, the checkout cashier or some guy running up to offer to "watch" my car while I shop. Sadly, they are at the lowest rung of the job ladder, contributing another factor to the "Why this revolution won't work" dilemma.
With Egypt & Tunisia still not sorted out, I don't think the template for a home-grown revolution is very clear. To punch a little pop-culture into this, it reminds me of the show 'Survivor'. (Yes, seriously. just keep reading) I loved the first season on Survivor. It was the first of the reality T.V. shows; uncharted territory in more ways than one. They figured out the game as they went. Ultimately, the objective was accomplished; someone won the others lost. Words & phrases had new meaning in mainstream vocabulary; 'form an alliance' and 'luxury items'. I generally liked the show. So when Season 2 premiered, I was ready and waiting on my couch for the next reality adventure. I was *so* disappointed. Nobody did anything new in the tactic department. They started talking 'alliances' in the first episode. In my opinion, the thing that drew me to the show was the game itself was the 'uncharted territory' part. On the other hand, that's what made the game easier for subsequent players; a winning strategy. I never watched Survivor again. Now I live it. Hah!
So there are a lot of people that want change. Hooray! They know what is bad & they want to cut it out. Kudos! They get the bad part taken out. Double kudos! But now what? Do they have a solution to the problem? Plenty of people can complain. And we now know that with enough people complaining, the "problem" can be removed. But who will present a new solution? That, my friends, is the question dangling in the tear gas.
BBC News - Bahrain Country Profile
* I am Lydia and I think my husband needs to come home & take me out for a Valentines Dinner.
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