Bahrain: More Middle Eastern Disquiet

Another Middle Eastern nation has lapsed into protest against its rulers. The island nation of Bahrain has seen massive protests in recent days, seeking political reform in the style of several of her neighbors.

This unsettling trend, while it will perhaps be worthwhile in the long run, may spell trouble when one looks at the big picture. Instability in the area cannot help oil prices, and too much of a spike with them cannot help any resurgence of the US and world economies. Israel too must be looking at the events with a troubled eye, as unrest cannot help her already tense relations with the nearby Arabic states. Toss in the fact that US Navy's 5th Fleet is stationed in Bahrain, and we have an important national security issue at hand.

This is not to be unsympathetic to the people of the nations in question, nor to their friends and supporters here in the Metro Detroit area who still maintain the bonds of kinship with their former countries. It is fair also to recognize that, if necessary change is to affect us, we may have to simply accept it in good grace so long as our interests are not violated. In the end, as with the recent events in Egypt and Tunisia, caution is required. Hopefully the reformers in the various nations will practice that as well.