Amid Continuing Human Rights Abuses, Why Is the US Still Arming Bahrain?

August 10, 2012 from Al Jazeera English

Three months ago the US resumed selling arms to Bahrain despite ongoing violations of human rights. For almost every single Arab country that has seen uprisings over the past two years the US has called for regime change, except for the Gulf country of Bahrain -- one of its closest allies in the region. How can the US recalibrate its policy to ensure its ally Bahrain moves away from violence and towards democracy? Inside Story Americas invites guests Joe Stork, Ali Al-Ahmed, and Hillary Mann Leverett to discuss.

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Bahrain Uprising

The Bahraini uprising is a series of demonstrations, amounting to a sustained campaign of civil resistance, in the Persian Gulf country of Bahrain. As part of the revolutionary wave of protests in the Middle East and North Africa following the self-immolation of Mohamed Bouazi... Explore this topic

Bahrain-US relations

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Bahrain

Bahrain, officially the Kingdom of Bahrain is a small island country situated near the western shores of the Persian Gulf. It is an archipelago of 33 islands, the largest being Bahrain Island, at 55 km long by 18 km wide. Saudi Arabia lies to the west and is connected to Bahra... Explore this topic

Human rights in Bahrain

Bahrain's record on human rights has been described by Human Rights Watch as "dismal", and having "deteriorated sharply in the latter half of 2010". The government of Bahrain has been accused of marginalizing the majority Shia Muslim population, torturing and mistreating polit... Explore this topic

Arms industry

The arms industry is a global business which manufactures weapons and military technology and equipment. It consists of commercial industry involved in research, development, production, and service of military material, equipment and facilities. Arms producing companies, also... Explore this topic

Political repression

Political repression is the persecution of an individual or group for political reasons, particularly for the purpose of restricting or preventing their ability to take part in the political life of a society. Political repression is sometimes used synonymously with the term p... Explore this topic

Peninsula Shield

The Peninsula Shield Force is the military side of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf. It is intended to deter, and respond to, military aggression against any of the GCC member countries: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emi... Explore this topic

Tear gas

Tear gas, formally known as a lachrymatory agent or lachrymator, is a possibly lethal chemical weapon that stimulates the corneal nerves in the eyes to cause tears, pain, and even blindness. Common lachrymators include OC, CS, CR, CN, nonivamide, bromoacetone, xylyl bromide an... Explore this topic

Ali Al-Ahmed

Ali Abbas al-Ahmed is a Saudi scholar and expert on Saudi political affairs including: terrorism, Islamic movements, Wahhabi Islam, Saudi political history, Saudi-American relations, and the history of the al-Saud family. He is the founder and director of the Institute for Gul... Explore this topic

Joe Stork

Joe Stork is an American political activist and Deputy Director for Middle East and North Africa at Human Rights Watch. He holds an M.A. in International Affairs/Middle East Studies from Columbia University. Explore this topic

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