The Gulf state of Bahrain imposed a state of emergency last week, amidst weeks of political unrest from the country’s Shiite majority. The kingdom’s Sunni leader, King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa, authorized the military to use any measures necessary to put down the uprising. Several people were reported killed in sporadic clashes with security forces. In a further escalation, some 2,000 troops and armored vehicles from Saudi Arabia crossed the 16-mile causeway that connects the island nation to the Arabian Peninsula, apparently at the request of the Bahraini government. Bahrain is home to the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet, and while the White House has been critical of violence, Washington has made no call for the withdrawal of Saudi forces.
- Check out a roundup of political cartoons on the Middle East protests.
- See photos of protests in the Middle East.
- See a slide show of 15 post-Cold War uprisings.
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abby of TX 12:47PM March 21, 2011