"Bahrain Shi’ites seek a boost in Parliament; Irregularities are already alleged in voting process" by Brian Murphy, Associated Press / October 24, 2010
MANAMA, Bahrain — Voters in the island kingdom of Bahrain picked their new Parliament under tight security yesterday, with a Shi’ite majority seeking a show of strength after a sweeping crackdown by Sunni rulers. However, allegations about voting problems were raised before the ballots were even counted.
The complaints — which include hundreds of Shi’ites reportedly blocked from voting — could complicate hopes of cooling tensions after waves of arrests and street clashes since summer in this key Western ally.
That's why no one made a big deal out of it.
The outcome of the vote is likely to resonate well beyond the 40-seat chamber at stake, and could touch on the long-term stability of Bahrain, a strategic US partner. As home of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet, the island nation is a centerpiece of Washington’s efforts to confront Iran’s military expansion in the Gulf.
What MILITARY EXPANSION by IRAN?
Who have they INVADED and OCCUPIED lately?
Now you know why the Boston Globe bothered.
The latest unrest is part of discord that has simmered for decades in tiny Bahrain: Shi’ites pushing for a greater political voice and the ruling Sunni dynasty trying to protect its control and place among the Sunni Arab clans that dominate the Gulf.
If you were Iraq we would have to invade and overthrow you.
US officials have toed a careful line. They count on Bahrain’s leaders as reliable friends — particularly for their tough stance on Iran — but also worry that the heavy-handed tactics against perceived dissidents could leave the country sharply divided and difficult to govern.
Yeah, we are not really actually worried about vote fraud and human rights abuses, just the difficulties they might give our guys.
Parliament has only limited powers and can be overruled by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and his inner circle. For many Shi’ites, gaining more seats and possibly taking a majority is seen as a message not to ignore their demands for a greater say in how the country is run.
Why not? Our government ignores us all the time.
“Bahrain has the potential to turn really nasty,’’ said Christopher Davidson, a professor at the University of Durham in Britain, who has written extensively about the region. “There is a widening wealth gap between rich and poor and is just so happens that the rich are the Sunni leaders and the poor are the Shi’ites.’’
That seems to be turning everyone the world over against those f***s -- except here in 'murka!
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Since August, Bahrain’s rulers have waged a campaign of arrests and intimidation against suspected Shi’ite opponents, contending that they seek to undermine the ruling system and could open to the door for Shi’ite powerhouse Iran to exert influence in the heart of the Arab Gulf....
And that would interfere with USrael's plans for dominating the region -- thus they must be attacked.
--more--"
Related: In Bahrain election, no big winners
Except for the ruling party that rigged it.
Back down the Boston Globe memory hole goes Bahrain.
