Kings of a feather flock together
Saudi Arabia has moved decisively to bolster Bahrain's embattled royal family, sending military forces across the causeway linking the two kingdoms after violent weekend pro-democracy protests by Shia demonstrators all but overwhelmed police.
Although the deployment on Monday was at Bahrain's request and came under the guise of the Gulf Co-operation Council, whose other members also sent troops, it marked another stage in Saudi Arabia's reluctant emergence as the key regional policeman, at a time when the Arab world faces unprecedented turmoil.
The Saudis sent 1,000 trooops to ‘help protect government facilities’.
The Gulf Daily News newspaper had reported that forces from the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC), a six-member regional bloc, would be arriving in the country on Monday with a mission "limited to protecting vital facilities".
The Guardian newspaper also reported on Monday that Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa, Bahrain's crown prince, would formally request a Saudi intervention.
The GCC has been around since May 25, 1981. It exists with one thing in mind: Defend against Iran-sponsored uprisings. (You might notice the timing of its formation.)
Don’t take my word for it. The GCC Charter all but telegraphs it.:
Being fully aware of the ties of special relations, common characteristics and similar systems founded on the creed of Islam which bind them; and
Desiring to effect coordination, cooperation and integration between them in all fields; and,
Having the conviction that coordination, cooperation, and integration between them serve the sublime objectives of the Arab Nation; and,
In pursuit of the goal of strengthening cooperation and reinforcement of the links between them; and
In an endeavour to complement efforts already begun in all essential areas that concern their peoples and realize their hopes for a better future on the path to unity of their States; and
In conformity with the Charter of the League of Arab States which calls for the realization of closer relations and stronger bonds; and
In order to channel their efforts to reinforce and serve Arab and Islamic causes…
“Arab and Islamic causes”. In other words – Arab monarchies based on oil and Sunni islam.
There has never been much effort to expand to GCC to include non-monarchies.
So… how do the Bahraini people feel about this?
Depends on whom one asks, one supposes
Bahraini opposition groups including the largest Shi'ite party Wefaq said the move was an attack on defenseless citizens.
"We consider the entry of any soldier or military machinery into the Kingdom of Bahrain's air, sea or land territories a blatant occupation," they said in a statement.
"This real threat about the entry of Saudi and other Gulf forces into Bahrain to confront the defenseless Bahraini people puts the Bahraini people in real danger and threatens them with an undeclared war by armed troops."
Secretary Gates weighed in yesterday that that Iran might meddle in Bahraini affairs
After talks with Bahrain's king and crown prince, Gates said he was hopeful the government would take "far-reaching steps" but warned that countries across the region could no longer ignore popular demands for democracy.
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The US defence chief, who arrived Friday evening in Bahrain amid rising tensions, said he came away encouraged that the country's leaders king were prepared to accommodate anti-government protesters.
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"And I also said that under the circumstances and with the impulse behind the political and economic grievances across the region, that baby steps probably would not be sufficient... that real reform would be necessary."
It would appear the Bahraini government concurred: Baby steps would not do.
Thus, Saudi tanks on the causeway.