February 13th, 2012, Manama, Bahrain, people tried to return to Al Farooq junction (formerly known as Pearl Square) on the first anniversary of major protests against the U.S.-backed monarchy. (Photo REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed)
The majority of people in Bahrain are Shia Muslims and they are ruled by a brutally repressive Sunni Muslim monarchy supported by the United States. Bahrain provides a base for the U.S. Fifth Fleet. Bahrain is also adjacent to Saudi Arabia, the world’s leading oil producer, where the U.S.-backed monarchy is “fearful that a victorious Shia majority in Bahrain could embolden Saudi Arabia’s own Shiite minority,” according to Michael Birnbaum in the Washington Post, although that phrase was quickly removed from his article. The Obama administration is using a legal loophole to continue selling weapons to the Bahraini monarchy, in addition to demonstrating support and partnership. (See also: VIDEO)
