Bahrain - a conundrum for the interventionists

[TinCow]

Bahrain has not remotely devolved into a situation where intervention is necessary. It became necessary in Libya only when it became apparent that a wholesale massacre of tens of thousands was about to occur. Deaths in any number are regrettable, but the reality is that while deaths are rare and in small numbers, the proper course is to pursue further liberties through exclusively diplomatic means. Diplomacy is still the best option in Bahrain.

[Dâriûsh]

Bahrain has not remotely devolved into a situation where intervention is necessary. It became necessary in Libya only when it became apparent that a wholesale massacre of tens of thousands was about to occur. Deaths in any number are regrettable, but the reality is that while deaths are rare and in small numbers, the proper course is to pursue further liberties through exclusively diplomatic means. Diplomacy is still the best option in Bahrain.

I diagree. The West chose not to intervene in Bahrain because it would upset too many "allies".

In Bahrain, a despot king is killing his own people with foreign soldiers (Saudis and Pakistani mercenaries). In Libya, that foolish colonel is killing his own people with Chadian, Sudanese, and what not mercenaries. Both despots need to be stopped.


Apparantly, the only difference is that Gadaffi has no friends outside the African Union, where he sponsors a few despots, while Bahrain is friendly with Saud and the United States (which has a naval base there). Saud, and the United States I'm sure, does not like the idea of a pro-Iranian popular government in Bahrain.


...They prefer to quell it with violence, apparantly, while pretending to fight for Libyan freedom. How ackward.

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

Bahrain looks to be heading in a democratising direction anyway, where Libya was in the Iron Grip of a military despot. The crackdown is brutal but it is not the same as having African merc running around lynching people, and the threat of another Islamist State is very real there.

So, I don't think the two are the same.

[Dâriûsh]

Bahrain looks to be heading in a democratising direction anyway, where Libya was in the Iron Grip of a military despot. The crackdown is brutal but it is not the same as having African merc running around lynching people, and the threat of another Islamist State is very real there.

So, I don't think the two are the same.

No, they might not have that many African mercenaries in Bahrain. But they do have one thousand recently hired Pakistani mercenaries. And I am willing to bet that they will be better paid and equipped than Gadaffis poor Guineans, Nigerians, Chadians, et al.


And with Saudi involvement in Libya, you can bet they'll find a way to install some religious kooks in the power hierarchy. That's the price. Saud wouldn't mind turning Libya into a religious colony. And it is a fertile land for that. Remember all those Libyans who went to fight in Iraq, not to mention those special Islamic legionaries Gadaffi created to fight wars in Uganda and Tanzania.

[Hax]

and the threat of another Islamist State is very real there.

Is there anything to back this up?

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

Is there anything to back this up?

Large gains be religious Sunni and Shia parties in elections since 2002, forming an overall majority in the elected chamber.

[ICantSpellDawg]

Diplomatic intervention only. They are arguing over religion rather than democracy. A more extreme example of a similar phenomenon in Yemen. Diplomatic influence over our "friends"

[Idaho]

No, they might not have that many African mercenaries in Bahrain. But they do have one thousand recently hired Pakistani mercenaries. And I am willing to bet that they will be better paid and equipped than Gadaffis poor Guineans, Nigerians, Chadians, et al.

There is some doubt about the stories of Gadaffi's mercenary hordes. Libya is a more complex place than many think.

Mercenaries or Libyans from Fezzan?