tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8391958287808959571.post5678289219617601653..comments2023-07-04T14:30:51.013+03:00Comments on Religion and Politics in Bahrain: BICI Final Report: What Now?Justin Genglerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07926253352423304711noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8391958287808959571.post-87718026975235904312011-12-06T10:25:04.873+03:002011-12-06T10:25:04.873+03:00I think there is a difference between saying "...I think there is a difference between saying "the uprising / protest movement is USEFUL for Iran's purposes," with which I think few would disagree. and saying "the uprising / protest movement is BEING USED for Iran's purposes." The latter implies complicity or at least co-optation on the part of demonstrators themselves.<br /><br />In any case, I think our wildly differing views on the seriousness of the Iranian "plot" to assassinate the Saudi ambassador belie a more general disagreement, which is fine.Justin Genglerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07926253352423304711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8391958287808959571.post-37509081503982887302011-12-05T22:12:55.061+03:002011-12-05T22:12:55.061+03:00Saying "no Iranian involvement in the Bahrain...Saying "no Iranian involvement in the Bahrain protest movement" is not the same as "[the protest movement is] being used by Iran for its own nefarious purposes." Moore was stating that Iran benefits from the unrest in Bahrain. It should also be noted that the BICI report made its finding based on information made available to their investigators which left the door ajar to the possibility of Iranian influence. <br /><br />Considering the recently uncovered Iranian plot to assassinate the Saudi Ambassador to the U.S. from within the U.S., it seems reasonable to conclude Iranian operatives are likely embedded within Bahrain which is a mere 200 miles from the Iranian coast.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8391958287808959571.post-63501225685971411082011-12-01T23:31:08.252+03:002011-12-01T23:31:08.252+03:00Second page:
"For that reason, President Oba...Second page:<br /><br />"For that reason, President Obama’s administration has been right to resist the calls made by some individuals to remove our support from Bahrain’s government and embrace a protest movement that has legitimate grievances, but is nonetheless being used by Iran for its own nefarious purposes."Justin Genglerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07926253352423304711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8391958287808959571.post-69992195982515045422011-12-01T18:29:57.628+03:002011-12-01T18:29:57.628+03:00Just read Moore's op-ed. Unfortunately, I fai...Just read Moore's op-ed. Unfortunately, I fail to see the part where he presumably states there has been Iranian involvement in the Bahrain uprising. However, what he did was a compelling case for U.S. interests regarding Iran and the necessity for continued close ties with Bahrain. I believe his qualifications as former Commander in the region lend considerable weight towards this assessment. <br /><br />The future of the U.S.-Bahrain relationship boils down to two philosophically different arguments: <br /><br />1) Idealistic: U.S. pursues Democracy at all costs regardless of perceived ill-effects towards National Security including reduced access to not only Bahrain but likely the majority of the Arabian Gulf (at least in the short run and possibly long term). <br /><br />2) Pragmatic: U.S. and Bahrain focus on their common enemy (Iran) while the U.S. continues to encourage reform through diplomatic processes including easing pressure from GCC neighboring countries.<br /><br />I imagine the final direction taken will lie somewhere between these extremes with the end result being a more reformed Bahrain (torture no longer practiced, increased Shia representation across the entire spectrum of Bahraini society, and far greater freedoms of speech and the press) though falling shore of a fully democratically elected government; while maintaining the long standing relationship (militarily and economically) between the U.S. and Bahrain.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8391958287808959571.post-57372551921476647542011-11-28T14:33:47.457+03:002011-11-28T14:33:47.457+03:00http://youtu.be/8rd-DttlnXg
Just another minister...http://youtu.be/8rd-DttlnXg<br /><br />Just another minister stumbling his way trying to defend the government.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8391958287808959571.post-61090588956668221842011-11-27T18:08:07.888+03:002011-11-27T18:08:07.888+03:00Any change in Bahrain is most likely to be a resul...Any change in Bahrain is most likely to be a result of external pressure from the US/UK. Indeed the report itself was not aimed at Bahrainis, but was meant as tool to show the outside world that the Ruler is an independent party in this conflict. This is obviously not the case. <br /><br />As a close follower of the Bahraini situation for many years now I do not see a long-term solution without it involving the current king stepping down and allowing his son to takeover...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8391958287808959571.post-574634169534652572011-11-25T09:10:44.871+03:002011-11-25T09:10:44.871+03:00The Washington Post article is from the Washington...The Washington Post article is from the Washington Times btw...Hulk1683noreply@blogger.com