tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8391958287808959571.post6197599119628573160..comments2023-07-04T14:30:51.013+03:00Comments on Religion and Politics in Bahrain: The Uprising is Over. But What Is the Price of Bahrain's Victory?Justin Genglerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07926253352423304711noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8391958287808959571.post-63066132282289403932012-10-04T11:00:15.344+03:002012-10-04T11:00:15.344+03:00You are right Justin. The State is cool under fire...You are right Justin. The State is cool under fire, maintains its composure and is completely in control. The so called democracy movement has been reduced to shreds of the initial dream now left in tatters. Its just the nuisance factor of having to have these people block some roads, burn a few tires, spray paint a few walls etc etc. PATHETIC, but not revolutionary. God bless the Monarchy, our GCC allies, and the US of A, who chose the right side of history. Who decided not to partner with Satan's representative on earth, also known as the Islamic Republic of Iran.Charbelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8391958287808959571.post-22205047675769143292012-10-04T09:16:46.253+03:002012-10-04T09:16:46.253+03:00I think its even useless to discuss whether the &q...I think its even useless to discuss whether the "uprising is over". Starting from 14 February, its not EVEN an uprising. Its terrorism. What happen for the past 20-months were actually Shiites rioting and doing their insurgency, the similar way how Sunnis doing their pathetic Salafi insurgency in Syria.<br /> There was no such revolution, and neither there was such uprising. It was all poor kids and terrorist behind all these jobs. Real Bahrainis and Syrians love their leader. <br /><br />Revolution in the Middle East? An illusion. It's all orchestrated by the CIA. We shouldn't even talk about all these things. I know you people won't accept this but these are painful facts. As what Sun Tzu says, "All wars were based on deception".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8391958287808959571.post-52078462089080611812012-10-04T08:50:56.433+03:002012-10-04T08:50:56.433+03:00The difference is that in February and March 2011 ...The difference is that in February and March 2011 there was a genuine sense of panic and uncertainty on the part of the government, which led to their initial indecision. How would citizens not part of the formal opposition react to both the uprising and the state's response to it? How would the internal Al Khalifa dynamics play out? How would the police and army react? How would close allies -- Saudi Arabia and the U.S. -- react? How would the wider regional and international community react? <br /><br />There simply is no longer any uncertainty about most if not all of these issues. This has allowed the state the time and relative security to formulate a more calculated approach, even if it is a divisive and authoritarian one. Bahrain is no longer in a state of panic or crisis, and it shows in the government's decision-making. That is the difference.Justin Genglerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07926253352423304711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8391958287808959571.post-78433178885412768872012-10-03T20:19:03.905+03:002012-10-03T20:19:03.905+03:00It should be important to note that people only oc...It should be important to note that people only occupied the Pearl Roundabout when the government allowed them. If you call that an uprising, then what changed since then? The government still allows some protests which still attract tens of thousands and sometimes over 100,000 which is essentially same as February/March 2011. <br /><br />The only difference I see is that government allowed protesters to camp 24/7 and allowed marches to important places. But remember, it is essentially the same situation.<br /><br />Just imagine this: The government suddenly announced opening Pearl Roundabout and allowed protesters there on condition that they won't expand it to the Financial harbor or block roads. Would you call that an uprising?<br /><br />This is exactly what happened on 15 February 2011 after the funeral. One day after the attack on Pearl Roundabout, people marched back and were shot at. Guess what? people marched tens of times the same way and were blocked, the only difference is government reaction by opening the Pearl Roundabout again on 19 Feb 2011 and keeping it blocked now, which is the result of international attention/pressure that was there due to the wider effect of Arab Spring.<br /><br />If you think what's going on now isn't an uprising, then pretty much Feb/Mar 2011 weren't either. Mohamed_CJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05616298596017261035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8391958287808959571.post-3637124912225000612012-10-03T15:48:04.619+03:002012-10-03T15:48:04.619+03:00This is not correct. If you take that logic, by th...This is not correct. If you take that logic, by that I would also say the Syrian uprising is also over because so far the rebels and government forces are reaching stalemate for the past recent months since July 2012. And if the rebels failed to take over Damascus, can you say their rebellion is over? This is not making logic sense.<br /><br />So similarly per what Mohamed CJ has said, a lot of revolutionaries in Bahrain has taken daily protests at OUTSIDE the capital city. And just because the media did a poor coverage (I say a bias coverage) in Bahrain, this does not mean the "uprising is over". So your point of "the movement no longer has the physical or political momentum necessary to achieve these aims of basic societal change" is not correct.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8391958287808959571.post-57496560499088034092012-10-02T11:59:29.419+03:002012-10-02T11:59:29.419+03:00YesYesSal Rahimnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8391958287808959571.post-28146688406131359452012-10-01T22:47:23.585+03:002012-10-01T22:47:23.585+03:00Ironically you're a minion yourself and not a ...Ironically you're a minion yourself and not a master, you follow blindly and with no real way of voicing your concerns and opinions to the people you so faithfully worship day and night. The great thing is they don't really care about you or what you think as long as you continue to be on their good side.<br /><br />That is what you're doing, isn't it? Staying on their good side like a good ol' faithful servant?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8391958287808959571.post-54152376586665998012012-10-01T15:00:50.739+03:002012-10-01T15:00:50.739+03:00Sorry that was supposed to say "Iran's mi...Sorry that was supposed to say "Iran's minions", thats m-i-n-i-o-n-s, defined as "a servile follower or subordinate". <br /><br />I will say no more they know who they are - will the real Iranian Minion please stand up!!!Sal Rahimnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8391958287808959571.post-83172183133827850192012-10-01T14:57:51.067+03:002012-10-01T14:57:51.067+03:00Marty - Would you get a Ferrari or a Maserati? I r...Marty - Would you get a Ferrari or a Maserati? I really cant decide. Did I also mention that Iran's will achieve nothing other than to wallow in their own self-inflicted misery?Sal Rahimnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8391958287808959571.post-73871555170095002302012-10-01T08:55:02.181+03:002012-10-01T08:55:02.181+03:00Holes, Clive. 2005. “Dialect and National Identity...Holes, Clive. 2005. “Dialect and National Identity: The Cultural Politics of Self-Representation in Bahraini Musalsalät.” In Paul Dresch and James Piscatori, eds. Monarchies and Nations: Globalization and Identity in the Arab States of the Gulf. London: I. B. Tauris. Justin Genglerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07926253352423304711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8391958287808959571.post-26585124723717076142012-10-01T08:54:08.319+03:002012-10-01T08:54:08.319+03:00My point is not that there are no longer groups an...My point is not that there are no longer groups and individuals fighting for the goals embodied by the Feb. 14 uprising. My point is that the movement no longer has the physical or political momentum necessary to achieve these aims of basic societal change, however unfortunate one may find that.Justin Genglerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07926253352423304711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8391958287808959571.post-80333543119692537352012-10-01T00:12:43.941+03:002012-10-01T00:12:43.941+03:00With the end of hopes in peaceful means of politic...With the end of hopes in peaceful means of political/human rights change, people would be radicalized to a level that we'll see the drive-overs of 15 and 16 March of last year return. In Syria most of the weapons in opposition hands were taken from government forces, same in Libya and so will it be in Bahrain.<br /><br />Those radicalized aren't just young youths, they are also politicians, academics and even religious figures. When all hope is lost and there is nothing left to lose, the bomb will explode. Eastern provenance of Arabia will probably experience similar conditions.Mohamed_CJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05616298596017261035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8391958287808959571.post-76199559273348218932012-10-01T00:06:15.142+03:002012-10-01T00:06:15.142+03:00But if the uprising is over and this is actually a...But if the uprising is over and this is actually a "civil rights movement" as one guy in Wikipedia called it, wouldn't the government have opened the site of Pearl Roundabout? Wouldn't they have withdrawn security forces from every village entrance? or from Salmaniya hospital?<br /><br />The uprising is alive as demands are still up; just take a look at the vast numbers taking part in licensed protests and funerals chanting down Hamad and people want the fall of regime.<br /><br />The situation is only kept as is it with brutal forces, and once that is taken away, people would be camping in Manama again. The situation can't return to what was before 14 February ever again. Mohamed_CJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05616298596017261035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8391958287808959571.post-2617188971456507342012-09-30T23:59:06.309+03:002012-09-30T23:59:06.309+03:00Reference for Clive Holes statement?
and BTW, gre...Reference for Clive Holes statement?<br /><br />and BTW, great article. It would have more complete if you discussed the foreign powers struggle in Bahrain. Any upcoming war would change the face of the region. Changes in Syria could also play an important role as protesters would be more welcoming of Iran's help than last year; heck I'm DEMANDING Iranian help now and would be proud of it if they make it. Hope is lost in peaceful means.. that is a real loss for all Bahrain. Should we get ready for 1990s-like bombings in finantial district?<br /><br />Did you miss the piece in Bahrain Mirror about no oil being discovered? Will foreign workers/citizens stay after this becomes a reality? http://bhmirror.no-ip.org/article.php?id=6108&cid=73 Mohamed_CJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05616298596017261035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8391958287808959571.post-40955945133964743422012-09-30T23:33:59.809+03:002012-09-30T23:33:59.809+03:00A great many people care and would disagree with y...A great many people care and would disagree with you Mr. Alkhalifa. Not-so-veiled threats are a hallmark of your clan and somehow, I think you'll get that Ferrari if you really want it. Marty Hisingtonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8391958287808959571.post-83608321433968766012012-09-30T23:28:22.747+03:002012-09-30T23:28:22.747+03:00If the regime has actually seized 5 tons of explos...If the regime has actually seized 5 tons of explosives as they've claimed they'd be showing it off like Treasure! I subscribe to your blog, usually agree with your analyses, but disagree this time about Feb.14 movement being "over." I'd venture to say most of the people getting wounded and arrested and all their loved ones would, too. Marty Hisingtonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8391958287808959571.post-51929808436016878392012-09-30T17:30:44.871+03:002012-09-30T17:30:44.871+03:00This is Anonymous is probably a TROLL. I liked the...This is Anonymous is probably a TROLL. I liked the blog. It is insightful and painfully honest.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12494907991799995179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8391958287808959571.post-59043243694837772502012-09-30T15:04:51.068+03:002012-09-30T15:04:51.068+03:00hahahahahahaha! Priceless. Justin you could end up...hahahahahahaha! Priceless. Justin you could end up in an orange jumpsuit and on a plane to Guantanmo for articulating such things, particularly when Mr. Anonymous is watching. Kierkegaard!! hahahaha!!<br /><br />Heres the real lesson that you all need to learn to stop wasting your time writing about the little island that barely appears in most maps: Things will never change, the Saudis wont allow it, most people are happy and content, Iran's minions have grievances, but boo hoo, I also want a new Ferrari, but thats not about to happen. The end.Sal Rahimnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8391958287808959571.post-14397527901151885362012-09-30T14:49:11.755+03:002012-09-30T14:49:11.755+03:00Damn, you really got me there! I was hoping no on...Damn, you really got me there! I was hoping no one would notice my secret advocacy of armed insurgency buried within a post describing why armed insurgency is tactically impossible in Bahrain. I assumed--correctly, I see--that by making such a conclusion so obviously contrary to the general point of the post, I would throw off casual observers, leaving only astute readers like yourself to take the true lesson. May I suggest you also take up reading Kierkegaard, who was also in the habit of addressing his writings to that penetrating individual he calls "my reader." Justin Genglerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07926253352423304711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8391958287808959571.post-47602988857826913222012-09-30T14:19:41.827+03:002012-09-30T14:19:41.827+03:00Too bad you have to hide behind anonymity to make ...Too bad you have to hide behind anonymity to make your point....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8391958287808959571.post-43626220768057175972012-09-30T14:19:07.664+03:002012-09-30T14:19:07.664+03:00I also have similar fans as "anonymous 1:49pm...I also have similar fans as "anonymous 1:49pm" and I only post links, whereas you bravely make analysis. ;-)Rupert Neil Bumfreyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04460239805603476978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8391958287808959571.post-21893678423827907632012-09-30T13:49:24.902+03:002012-09-30T13:49:24.902+03:00so your advocating an armed insurgency ala Iraq mo...so your advocating an armed insurgency ala Iraq model then Gengler? <br /><br />Streching that Fullbright scholarship nicely I see. Too bad nobody really gives a shit what you have to say. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com