While opposition activists in Bahrain have continued their protests for almost two years in mostly Shia neighborhoods, they are now back in the streets of central Manama.
Launched December 4, 2012
Early in 2011, major media in the US were filled with news of a popular uprising against Bahrain’s monarchy. Front page stories described huge demonstrations, intervention by Saudi troops and harsh government crackdowns. Today Bahrain has almost disappeared from public awareness in the US.
While the opposition movement is weaker than one year ago, it is stronger than US media coverage might suggest. Recently, hundreds of demonstrators gathered in an unauthorized Manama rally that police broke up with tear gas. The government banned all demonstrations and imposed harsh sentences on political dissidents.
The Bahrain monarchy argues that it is maintaining law and order in the face of a foreign-inspired revolt. According to the government, the opposition is allied with Iran and Hezbollah, and poses a threat to the entire region.
Initially, opposition demonstrators included Sunni and Shia. But after the intervention of Saudi troops and the government crackdown on the Shia community, the battle has become increasingly sectarian. Regional powers are choosing sides in the struggle. The US has played a low-key role, in part, because of its desire to maintain the Navy’s Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain.
In a continuation of his Arab Spring reporting, foreign correspondent Reese Erlich will examine the complicated political, religious and economic elements of the Bahrain uprising. He interviews government leaders in their skyscrapers and workers in the relatively poor Shia villages outside the capital. Erlich explores the question: can the government and opposition reach a peaceful political solution?
Grantee
Reese Erlich's history in journalism goes back 43 years. He first worked as a staff writer and research editor for Ramparts, an investigative reporting magazine published in San Francisco...
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When the uprising in Bahrain began, both Sunni and Shiites took to the streets together. Now they barely talk.
The uprising against monarchy grows more intense, while largely ignored by Western media. Real News Network's Paul Jay interviews journalist Reese Erlich about the situation on the ground.
Reese Erlich spent time in Muhazza Village, Bahrain, looking into human rights violations by the government.
Reese Erlich says Bahrain might appreciate a lesson from the U.S. civil rights movement.
Bahrain's Arab Spring started almost two years ago. Since the government outlawed the mainly peaceful demonstrations, younger protesters in particular are increasingly turning to violence.
While the conflict in Bahrain is often portrayed as Shiite vs. Sunni, the reality is far more complex.
Sayed Yousif al-Muhafdha, a Bahraini human rights activist, arrested as Gulf monarchy cracks down on dissent.
A new union association set up to support the government is dividing Bahrain's labor movement.
When the uprising in Bahrain began, both Sunni and Shiites took to the streets together. Now they barely talk.
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Residents of Muhazza Village have been under siege by the Bahraini government for over 6 weeks.
A look at some of the key participants in Bahrain's uprising.
Residents of Muhazza Village have been under siege by the Bahraini government for over 6 weeks.
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The Persian Gulf kingdom of Bahrain has jailed opposition leaders and recently banned all demonstrations. But the protests continue, particularly in the smaller villages outside the capital, Manama.