Publication

This analysis discusses the growing chasm between Bahrain's ruling family and the country’s population. According to the author, the Arab awakening did not create the eruption of Bahraini popular protests in February 2011 but, given a century of grievances in the island state, it provided encouragement. The struggle between the regime and ruling family on the one hand and an increasingly restive citizenry does not bode well for the future. Muted criticism from Western countries has only stiffened the tough posture of the hardliners within the ruling family and generated resentment from a growing proportion of Bahrainis.