Bahrain - a conundrum for the interventionists

[Idaho]

The US should just come out and tell the Saudis to back off. The Saudis and their tame poodles - the Al Khalifahs like to characterise the legitimate and largely peaceful Bahrain protest movement as "Iranian inspired". This is pure nonsense. A nonsense made worse by Iran chipping in and telling the Saudis to not beat up protestors (yes we can all roll our eyes at that one).

The Bahraini protest movement is young, secular and although majority Shia, is not anti-Sunni. Just anti royal autocrat - something that's just beyond the pale for the Saudis.

I've seen footage of peaceful protestors being shot at close range with baton rounds. Of piles of empty CS gas cans. Of protestors carrying the Bahrain flag and numerous signs saying "Not Shia, Not Sunni, Bahraini".

In the light of this I find some comments on this thread repellant and frankly shameful.

[rory_20_uk]

An idealist would

[Centurion1]

The US should just come out and tell the Saudis to back off. The Saudis and their tame poodles - the Al Khalifahs like to characterise the legitimate and largely peaceful Bahrain protest movement as "Iranian inspired". This is pure nonsense. A nonsense made worse by Iran chipping in and telling the Saudis to not beat up protestors (yes we can all roll our eyes at that one).

The Bahraini protest movement is young, secular and although majority Shia, is not anti-Sunni. Just anti royal autocrat - something that's just beyond the pale for the Saudis.

I've seen footage of peaceful protestors being shot at close range with baton rounds. Of piles of empty CS gas cans. Of protestors carrying the Bahrain flag and numerous signs saying "Not Shia, Not Sunni, Bahraini".

In the light of this I find some comments on this thread repellant and frankly shameful.

Why should I care or involve myself in it. Good for them they are finally tired of all the crap they put up with for thousands of years. I am tired of American blood and treasure being spent on the Middle East. Why should we involve ourselves in ANOTHER war. Sure fight the one we have and I support my government there with everything I have but why spread ourselves even thinner and support and aid people who in the end will just spit on us and call us invaders.