The so-called 'Jasmine Revolution' in the Middle East, which has impacted the popular perception of the Western World, particularly amongst the uninformed, seems to have hit a roadblock in Bahrain.
Ironically, in India too, the revolution has caught the imagination of some people who tend to see international events in black and white.
The sincerity of the West, particularly the US, with regard to the 'Jasmine Revolution' is on test in Bahrain and by extension to Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia and UAE have deployed 1,000 and 500 personnel respectively to Bahrain under the banner of Gulf Cooperation Council.
Interestingly, the UAE has committed to deploy 12 aircraft in support of the NATO to patrol the No Fly Zone over Libya. This has been done because of the strategic importance of the Gulf Region and also because the region falls in Shia-Sunni fault line.
The vital strategic interests of the US are at stake in the region. If the US and its allies in the region cannot check the developments, there will be far-reaching political consequences in the region and an impact on global oil prices.
It is, therefore, imperative that the dynamics of the region with particular reference to Bahrain and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is put in perspective.
In Picture: Mourners splash rose water on the body of Ali Isa Saqer, 31, during his funeral on April 10, 2011, in Sehla, Bahrain. Saqer was one of three anti-government detainees the Interior Ministry has said died in police custody in the past month. The ministry said Saqer died after ''creating chaos at the detention center.'' Opposition activists allege he was tortured to death.
Image copyright: AP. Any unauthorised reproduction is prohibited
Courtesy: www.indiandefencereview.com
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