The game changer would be the release of prisoners, including 21 activists. That is not going to happen anytime soon. Britain and America make clucking noises but are just as cynical as the Bahraini royal family itself. Strategic alliances trump human rights. What is the difference between Bahrain and Syria? In two words, Saudi Arabia, which sees the trouble on its doorstep as its own Cuba. Nor is al-Jazeera, under new direction, interested in Bahrain. They are not being broadcast all over the Arab world, but Bahrain’s deep problems are still there. And they will not be drowned out by the roar of engines today.
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‘Bahrain: chequered flag’— editorial @ The Guardian
The problems in Bahrain finally stole a little media attention thanks to the F1 situation but this is again one of those situations where we must pay and seek sustained media and individual attention to the situation over there because it’s not getting any better. I like The Guardian’s coverage a lot (they have a liveblog here, with summaries of what’s been going on in Egypt and Syria too) but obviously just read as much as you can and widely and pay sustained attention.