It's all about Iran: 'If Bahrain's government falls, "there is no question -- no ifs, ands or buts -- Bahrain would become an Iranian satellite, and the Fifth Fleet would be sent packing," Rubin predicted.
The Obama administration is "not being too vocal on the riots in Bahrain because it's pretty much the one country where we can't afford regime change," he said.'
No ifs, ands, or buts? Really?
10 comments :
"Bahrain would become an Iranian satellite"
If that happens, Bahrain's democratic situation will be even worse than it is now.
Like it is in Iraq?
Iraq's not exactly an Iranian satelite...its security forces battled it out with Pro-IRI militiamen throughout 2008.
Do you think Bahrain would become an Iranian satellite if the King falls?
Judging by the unrest that is happening throughout the Middle East, I don't think it would. I imagine a significant number of the Bahrain demonstrators sympathize with the Iranians who are fighting for their freedom up north.
What do you think?
I think Bahraini Shia are a lot like Iraqi Shia. Probably a minority of them are pro-Iran and a majority of them just want real democracy without Iranian influence. Bahrain is already relatively free - they have full internet access, women don't have to wear hijab if they don't want to, and alcohol is sold in hotels and restaurants. They've been exposed to western culture and TV. I think they would not give up the freedoms they have for an Iranian style theocracy. They just want democracy and a more egalitarian economy.
I doubt they want to be Iranian stooges, but even if they did, that would be their choice to make.
Rubin is full of shit when he says the US doesn't want freedom in Bahrain. The administration is taking the same tack it did with Egypt. Basically, Obama has asked that peaceful protesters be allowed to speak their mind, and that reforms be undertaken. Senators and Congressmen are saying pretty much the same thing. The US isn't going to call for the government to collapse. That would be irresponsable and shortsighted.
http://tinyurl.com/6klqrxk
''Bahrain is already relatively free - they have full internet access, women don't have to wear hijab if they don't want to, and alcohol is sold in hotels and restaurants.''
Mojo, that's complete BS, I'm afraid. Can you explain why Bahrain was downgraded from 'Partly Free' to 'Not Free' by Freedom House last year, and has received a further downward trend in the 2011 preliminary findings? I suggest you take a good look at their reports on Bahrain beginning in 2002. Things looked promising with reform until 2004, from which time the Bahraini government has reversed course and has been receiving downward trends in Freedom House's reports ever since.
Are you unaware of the heavy Internet censorship, and the formal ban on demonstrations in a public arena between sunrise and sunset that was introduced in 2006? I could go on, but you get the picture.
Thanks for the info, Aymenn. I did not know of the heavy Internet censorship or the ban on demonstrations in a public arena between sunrise and sunset.
I was thinking Bahrain is free relative to Iran, but maybe not!
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