The UN “Group of States” words sound an empty echo of King Hamad’s year old BICI Charade. Member States “votes” and “statements” are absent any “real substance” or “willingness” to effect Economic or other Concrete Punitive Action against the Bahrain Regime’s unbridled brutality. IT IS TIME TO STAND UP TO THE BLOODY BULLIES OF THE BAHRAIN REGIME. Most have given up and grown weary of the with hollow words and meaningless votes from within the UN halls and walls by “feel good liberals” who gather in their affinity circles. Their empty words have become a partnership with the regime atrocities. Feel good politics has become a hallmark of a UN that “pats itself on the back” as vicar of Human Rights for the world, while it tolerates the indecent conduct of its Western benefactors who perpetuate a worldwide regime of hostility toward and destruction of progress on Human Rights everywhere. Phlipn.

US shuns Bahrain condemnation at UN
28 June, 2012 – Al Akhbar

The United States and the United Kingdom on Thursday declined to sign a UN document condemning the ongoing human rights abuses in Bahrain.

The UN Human Rights Council document, which was signed by major European countries including Germany and France, calls on the Gulf state to do more to protect civil liberties in the country.

“We express our concern over the human rights situation in Bahrain, both the violations that took place in February and March 2011 as well as the related ongoing ones,” the document said.

“We are particularly concerned about the consequences faced by those who protested for democratic change in a peaceful manner,” it adds.

Bahraini forces, backed by Saudi troops, crushed a pro-democracy uprising in early 2011, but protests have reemerged in recent months despite repression.

The US has remained quiet on the human rights situation in the country, which is the host of its Fifth Fleet, while condemning government crackdowns in Syria and elsewhere.

Bahraini activists have accused global bodies such as the Human Rights Council of being pressured into silence on the issue.

Maryam Al-Khawaja, acting head of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, welcomed the ruling.

“This is the first step in showing that the Human Rights Council will not allow the implementation of double standards, although they have allowed it this long,” she said.

However she condemned the decision by the US and Britain to not sign the treaty as evidence of “double standards” on human rights.

“The thing that disappoints us most is the fact that the United Kingdom and the United States decided not to sign, which to us says a lot more about how they are insisting on implementing double standards when it comes to supporting or standing against human rights violations in different countries.” …more

US-backed Bahrain regime upholds jail sentences for doctors and nurses
By Will Morrow – 28 June, 2012 – WSWS

The US-backed Bahraini dictatorship of King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa on June 14 upheld jail sentences of up to five years for medics rounded up during fierce repression of anti-government protests in 2011.

Twenty doctors and nurses from the Salmaniya Medical Complex in the capital, Manama, were sentenced to between five and 15 years in prison by a military court in September 2011. The attorney general allowed a civilian retrial amid mass outrage at the convictions.

Throughout the proceedings the defendants were prevented from speaking, as they insisted they had been tortured into giving signed confessions. The medics have been on bail since late last year, unable to return to work.

In the latest ruling, orthopaedic surgeon Ali Alekri was sentenced to five years jail, down from fifteen, and Ibrahim al-Damstani, the Bahraini Nursing Society secretary general, will face three years, according to AFP. Seven others have been handed sentences of one year or less, and the remaining nine who appealed their convictions were acquitted. Two did not appeal their sentences and are reported to have fled the country.

The medics’ arrest in March 2011 was part of a campaign of repression and intimidation by security forces. A protest encampment in Manama’s Pearl Roundabout, calling for the downfall of the regime, was crushed by tanks and troops brought from the neighbouring despotic gulf states Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait.

Security forces repeatedly raided hospitals looking for injured patients to arrest. The sole “crime” of the medics was treating civilians who were beaten, shot and gassed during this repression. At least sixty protesters have been killed by security forces since February last year, though the real figure is likely far higher.

In a statement following the recent ruling, the government attempted to claim the convictions were not for treating protesters. Making clear the political character of the charges, it asserted that the doctors and nurses were guilty of “politicising their profession, breaching medical ethics and… their call and involvement in the overthrow of the monarchy.” The government has not attempted to explain how it obtained signed confessions of guilt from those who have now been acquitted entirely.

Spent CS Gas Canisters used to turn homes into “gas chambers”, killing Elderly and Infants

Khaza’ie: Iran’s policy, refraining from interference in countries’ internal affairs
28 June, 2012 – Islamic Invitation Turkey

Iran’s Permanent Ambassador to UN here Wednesday emphasized Islamic Republic of Iran’s basic policy of refraining from interference in other countries’ internal affairs, adding, Tehran has no military, or financial interference abroad.

According to IRNA, Khaza’ie who was speaking at a press conference at the end of a UN Security Council meeting allocated to the challenges ahead for Afghanistan answered the questions posed by the world media reporters.

In response to a question, he rejected any type of military intervention of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Syria, arguing, “We have always supported the EU Special Envoy Kofi Annan’s six article plan as the best solution for the Syrian crisis, and favored putting an end to the cruelties and aggressions there.”

Khaza’ie emphasized, “For instance, Bahrain is our neighbor, but Tehran never interferes in that country’s internal affairs, but it is clear for everyone which country’s military forces are today stationed in Bahrain.”

Elsewhere in the press conference he criticized those who provide money and weapons for the opponents of the Syrian government, reiterating, “Forwarding weapons and money leads of boosting aggressions in that country and amid so much aggressive moves it is impossible to push forth the reforms in that country.”

Khaza’ie said that the countries opposed to Damascus government are sending arms and money into Syria, which is something they should seriously avoid, arguing, “If this sick process would be halted we can then hope for calm pursuit of the reforms trend.”

The permanent representative of Iran at the UN reiterated, “Tehran believes entire countries’ support for full implementation of Kofi Annan’s six point plan is the best path for exit from the ongoing crisis in Syria.”

In response to another question on Moscow negotiations, he reiterated, “Iran’s stands in those negotiations was quite transparent, serious, and along with offering clear solutions aimed at elimination of misconceptions.”

Khaza’ie promised to answer the media representatives’ questions on the Islamic Republic of Iran’s peaceful nuclear program at another press conference in near future. …source

Donahoe: U.S. Continues to Engage with Bahrain on Human Rights Issues

28 June, 2012 – Statement by Ambassador Eileen Chamberlain Donahoe, U.S. Representative to the Human Rights Council

The United States continues to engage in candid bilateral discussions with the Government of Bahrain and a cross-section of Bahrainis, and these discussions include human rights. We believe that this process is the most productive way for us to engage on human rights issues, and so we did not join the recent Item 4 joint statement in the Human Rights Council (HRC).

Bahrain has hosted a delegation from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, plans to host an HRC mandate holder, and has continued to engage with the High Commissioner’s office. They also established the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI), which produced a comprehensive report on the domestic unrest in Bahrain, along with recommendations that the Government of Bahrain has committed to implement. As part of our bilateral engagement, we continue to encourage Bahrain’s cooperation with the High Commissioner’s office and with the HRC. Most recently, Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor Michael Posner visited Bahrain for the fifth time in the last year and a half in support of this dialogue, and we remain committed to this process with Bahrain.

As we noted in our intervention during Bahrain’s session in the Universal Periodic Review on May 21, the Government of Bahrain has taken some important first steps in laying the foundation for dialogue and for reconciliation in Bahrain, but more remains to be done on the full range of BICI recommendations. That includes prosecuting those responsible for the violations identified in the BICI report, dropping charges against all persons accused of offenses involving nonviolent political expression including freedom of assembly, and ensuring fair and expeditious trials in appeals cases. It also means continuing work to professionalize and diversify Bahrain’s security forces to reflect the communities in which they serve, and to work to implement the recommendations of the BICI in an inclusive way.

We continue to call on all parties in Bahrain to help each other move toward a comprehensive political dialogue that includes the diverse views of Bahraini society in a genuine negotiation. And we continue to stand ready to support Bahrain in this process. …source

The Truth Behind Saudi Arabia’s Fear of a Nuclear Iran
By Hassan Ahmadian – Center for Strategic Research, Tehran – 27 June, 2012

In a recent interview with the Israeli daily, Haaretz, Dennis Ross, a senior advisor to the United States President Barack Obama in Middle East affairs, said that in a visit to Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh, in early 2009, he had been told by the Saudi King Abdullah that if Iran becomes a nuclear state, Saudi Arabia will rapidly develop its own nuclear bomb. More reports had been also published as earlier as February 2007, following King Abdullah’s meeting with the then Russian President Vladimir Putin which brought similar quotes from the Saudi king. Although those reports were never officially confirmed, Ross’ remarks prove beyond any doubt that such allegations which are made by Saudi Arabia from time to time should be taken quite seriously. However, a logical question which may preoccupy a Middle East researcher’s mind here is: why Saudi Arabia is not as afraid of Israel’s nuclear arsenal as it is of a nuclear Iran? It is quite clear that Israel developed nuclear weapons when it was considered the archenemy of Arab countries in the Middle East. Three years later, in 1967, Israeli forces occupied vast pieces of land which belonged to their neighboring Arab countries, including two Saudi islands of Sanafir and Tiran. However, Saudi Arabia has never made any effort or even posed any threat about developing nuclear weapons and has never attempted to create nuclear balance with Israel. So, why Saudi Arabia is so fearful of a nuclear Iran? Can King Abdullah’s threat be taken as a serious omen of a looming nuclear race in the Middle East?

Saudi Arabia apparently looks upon Iran from the standpoint of regional rivalries and believes that nuclearization of Iran will be a dangerous turn of events for its regional calculations and relations. “Tension in return for pressure” is perhaps a good interpretation for Saudi Arabia’s anti-Iran moves and policies. In other words, whenever Saudi Arabia comes under mounting domestic, regional and/or international pressures, it tries to escalate tension with the Islamic Republic of Iran in order to distract attention from those pressures. In this way, Riyadh also tries to come up with a framework within which it would be able to cooperate with the source of pressure (both internal and external) by claiming that it is facing an alleged foreign risk (from Iran). Another point is the fact that conflict with the Islamic Republic of Iran can boost a sense of national identity in Saudi Arabia. This issue will be discussed in more detail below. …more

Convicted Bahrain doctor starts hunger strike
28 June, 2012 – By REEM KHALIFA – Associated Press

MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) – A doctor sentenced on charges of aiding anti-government protests in Bahrain went on a hunger strike Thursday.

Saeed al-Samaheeji was among nine medical professionals sentenced last week to prison terms ranging from one month to five years, a decision that has been condemned by international rights groups and the U.S.

Nine others were freed, and 15-year sentences were upheld against two doctors who fled Bahrain.

The 58-year-old Samaheeji remains free while he considers appealing his one-year sentence. He said Thursday that he went on a hunger strike to protest “brutal and fabricated charges” and draw international attention to the plight of all the doctors, hoping their sentences would eventually being thrown out.

Authorities say the doctors sided with protesters last year and tried to topple the country’s ruling system. The doctors said they were only doing their jobs during the protests and subsequent bloody crackdown.

“We are doctors, not criminals, and we were trying to save lives, and these sentences are political convictions. … We are innocent,” al-Samaheeji told reporters.

The cases against the doctors and nurses were among the most sensitive for Bahrain’s leadership as it struggles with near daily clashes and protests by the kingdom’s majority Shiites. The state-run Salmaniya Medical Complex was thrust into the forefront of the unrest after security forces stormed a protest encampment in the early weeks of the uprising.

Initially, 20 medical personnel were sentenced to prison terms of between five and 15 years by a now disbanded security tribunal, set up by the Sunni monarchy as part of crackdowns against Shiite-led protests that began in February 2011. A retrial in civilian court was ordered earlier this year following intense pressure from international rights and medical groups.

Even the most recent court ruling drew complaints from the Americans, who count Bahrain as a close ally since it hosts the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet.

Michael Posner, the assistant secretary of state for democracy, human rights and labor, told reporters last week that Washington was “disappointed” by the ruling. He appealed for reconciliation talks in Bahrain but acknowledged that the nation remains deeply divided.

Bahrain’s Shiites comprise about 70 percent of the island’s more than half-million citizens. They claim they face systematic discrimination and are barred from high-level political and security posts. The government has offered some concessions, such as boosting the powers of the elected parliament, but Shiite leaders demand the monarchy also give up its tight grip on all key policies and political appointments. …more

Why are Bahraini authorities so afraid of an 11-year-old?
28 June, 2012 – Eslkevin’s Blog

Dear Kevin,

One minute, 11-year-old Ali Hassan was playing outside with his friends, like any other kid his age anywhere in the world.

The next minute, Ali was under arrest.

This actually happened: An 11-year-old child is on trialfor “illegal gathering” and “disturbing security” in Bahrain.

On July 5, he’ll be sentenced for his “crimes” – and could be imprisoned.

We only have a week left to make an impact on Ali’s case, so we have to be loud. Call on the Bahraini authorities to drop the charges against 11-year-old Ali Hassan. Then be sure to share this action with your friends.

On the day of his arrest, Ali was held for hours and interrogated. Tired, hungry, and scared, Ali finally “confessed.” He was detained for 23 days without access to a lawyer.

Ali’s case is part of a wider crackdown on freedom of expression and assembly in Bahrain. Since mass protests began in the country in February 2011, Bahrain’s security forces have responded brutally with disproportionate violence. And there’s been little accountability for the ongoing human rights violations committed by the Bahraini government, including acts of torture, unjust imprisonment, and even killings.

Things have to change.

The Bahraini government’s crackdown on nonviolent critics is ugly enough. Now with Ali’s arrest and trial, the government’s behavior has become even more shocking.

Ali and his friends found themselves on the wrong side of the law when their playtime coincided with protests in the area. Bahraini police officers stopped them, allegedlythreatening to shoot the children if they didn’t do as they were told, and accusing them of purposely blocking the street with trash bins.

The other children got away. Ali was not so lucky. And now he could face jail for being a child in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Playtime should never lead to prison time. Demand that Bahrain respect the right to free speech and assembly, protect the rights of children, and drop the ludicrous charges against 11-year-old Ali Hassan immediately.

For justice,

Sanjeev Bery
Advocacy Director, Middle East & North Africa
Amnesty International USA

…source

Washington’s postures have been getting more stubborn, as Iran readies for even worse sanctions

US Rejected Chance for Incremental Progress in Iran Talks
by John Glaser – 27 June, 2012 – AntiWar.com

As enthusiasm about the negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 begins to peter out, sources close to the talks have revealed that Washington hardened its position during the last round in Moscow, foregoing concrete progress in favor of an all-or-nothing posture.

In Moscow, the Iranians made a proposal that included agreeing to halt uranium enrichment to 20 percent U-23, the isotope that gives uranium its explosive power, and to a plan to “operationalize” the Supreme Leader’s fatwa against nuclear weapons. This would be in exchange for easing economic sanctions, Iranian inclusion in talks on key regional issues like Syria and Bahrain, and international recognition for Iran’s right to have a peaceful nuclear program.

According to officials speaking with Al Monitor, Washington was initially considering incremental steps toward settlement. Any individual concession the Iranians agreed to would be met with reciprocal concessions and benefits.

In the third round of talks in Moscow, however, that changed. Now the West was demanding that Iran meet all three conditions in their proposal: stop 20% enrichment, ship out a stockpile of more than 100 kilograms of 20%-enriched uranium and close the Fordo site, a fortified enrichment facility built into a mountain.

The US refusal to make incremental progress in these talks with Iran indicates a lack of interest in true settlement.

In principle, the talks and the Western aggression against Iran are illegitimate. There is a consensus in the US intelligence community that Iran is not developing nuclear weapons and has demonstrated no intention to do so.

Still, the sanctions and then negotiations were imposed on Iran. But the so-called diplomacy with Iran has been “predicated on intimidation, illegal threats of military action, unilateral ‘crippling’ sanctions, sabotage, and extrajudicial killings of Iran’s brightest minds,” writes Reza Nasri at PBS Frontline’s Tehran Bureau. These postures have spoiled the chance to resolve this issue promptly and respectfully.

After the failed talks in 2009 and 2010, wherein Obama ended up rejecting the very deal he demanded the Iranians accept, as Harvard professor Stephen Walt has written, the Iranian leadership “has good grounds for viewing Obama as inherently untrustworthy.” Former CIA analyst Paul Pillar has concurred, arguing that Iran has “ample reason” to believe, “ultimately the main Western interest is in regime change.” …more

Bahrain witnesses: Activist hurt by gas canister
By REEM KHALIFA – Associated Press – 28 June, 2012

MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) — Bahraini police injured a prominent human rights activist by shooting her in the leg with a tear gas canister, witnesses said Thursday.

Yousef al-Muhafedha, a member of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, said he saw police use a gun to fire the canister at Zainab al-Khawaja at close range after anti-government protesters gathered in the village of Buri southwest of the capital Manama a day earlier.

Police appeared to recognize al-Khawaja, he added.

The injury did not appear life-threatening. Associated Press photos taken shortly after the shooting showed her limping with blood trickling down her right leg.

Al-Khawaja is the daughter of jailed activist Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, whose hunger strike of more than 100 days brought renewed international attention to the protest movement in Bahrain. She couldn’t immediately be reached for comment.

The government Information Affairs Authority said police had not received al-Khawaja’s claim of injury, but that all such cases are taken seriously.

“If citizens have been harmed due to misconduct or negligence, they are requested to immediately file a complaint so that it can be investigated as soon as possible,” the authority said in an emailed response to questions.

It added that “precaution should always be exercised” by Bahrainis taking part in unauthorized demonstrations.

Separately, Bahraini police said they were searching for three suspects after they discovered what were described as large amounts of highly explosive bomb-making materials during a raid two weeks ago. …more

Bahraini activist Nabeel Rajab vows to continue anti-regime protest
Shia Post – 27 June, 2012

Prominent Bahraini human rights activist Nabeel Rajab has vowed to continue his protest against the regime until the goals of the revolution are achieved.

Shortly after being released from jail, Rajab told his supporters on Wednesday that he is determined to continue his campaign against Manama brutalities.

Rajab was arrested on June 6 on charges linked to comments he made on social networks deemed insulting to Bahrain’s ruling family. It is the second time in two months that he has been arrested and released.

Rajab’s lawyer has said that the next hearing in his client’s case was set for July 9.

Meanwhile, the Manama regime has announced USD 2.6 million in compensation for 17 people killed during last year’s brutal crackdown on demonstrations.

It was the first time the Bahraini authorities pay compensation for those who were killed when Saudi-backed security forces crushed the kingdom’s revolution, killing scores of people. According to an independent inquiry, at least 35 Bahrainis have lost their lives in the crackdown.

Bahrainis have been staging demonstrations since mid-February 2011, demanding political reform and a constitutional monarchy, a demand that later changed to an outright call for the ouster of the ruling Al Khalifa family following its brutal crackdown on popular protests.

Scores of people have also been killed and many others have been injured in the Saudi-backed crackdown on peaceful protesters in Bahrain. …source

Bahrain says seizes explosives, fines protest chief
28 June, 2012 – Reuters

DUBAI (Reuters) – Bahrain has seized large quantities of materials used to make explosives, the Gulf Arab state’s public security chief said, as clashes between police and protesters persist more than a year after the start of a pro-democracy uprising.

“The explosives were designed to cause severe injury, a high death toll, serious destruction to property and fear in the minds of the public,” Tariq al-Hassan said in comments published by the government Information Affairs Authority.

image of previous large weapons cache seized from Bahraini “terrorists”

He said more than five tonnes of materials had been seized at several sites described as “terrorist dens” by the state news agency late on Wednesday. Newspapers published pictures of an array of chemicals, wires, plastic pipes and three wanted men.

“This is significant as it indicates a new level of terrorist activity in Bahrain,” Hassan said.

Bahrain, where the U.S. Fifth Fleet is based, has been in turmoil since pro-democracy protests by majority Shi’ite Muslims began in February 2011 after popular revolts overthrew long-serving heads of state in Egypt and Tunisia.

The Manama government, dominated for generations by the Sunni Muslim Al Khalifa family, accuses the opposition of having a Shi’ite sectarian agenda and links to regional Shi’ite giant Iran. The opposition denies this, saying such allegations amount to a pretext for avoiding democratic reforms.

After a pause following a military crackdown in March 2011 aided by Saudi troops, violence has resurged with some attacks on police using homemade explosives. Protesters have thrown petrol bombs and iron bars at police in response to what they say is stepped up use of birdshot by security forces.

Thirty-five people died during the uprising and a period of martial law last year, but the opposition says more have died in violence since. A protester was found dead on a rooftop in April, his body riddled with birdshot, a night after he was involved in fighting with police.

There have been some talks between the government and the leading Shi’ite opposition party Wefaq this year but no solution to the conflict has emerged.

RAJAB FREED, FINED

On Wednesday, a judge released protest leader Nabeel Rajab after three weeks in detention over a Twitter post that criticised the prime minister, seen as a leading government hawk who has occupied the post for 41 years.

Rajab’s tweet said financial incentives had motivated residents of a district of the island to come onto the streets in support of the premier, according to his lawyer Mohammed Al-Jishi, who said a court would hear the case next month.

Rajab, head of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, was fined 300 Bahraini dinars ($800) on Thursday for another tweet that suggested the Interior Ministry was responsible for weapons used by Sunni vigilantes to attack Shi’ites.

But the court lifted a travel ban on Rajab, who still faces three additional charges of organising illegal protests.

He was also held in May for three weeks pending investigations into charges of illegal gathering and insulting the Interior Ministry. Rajab declared that the cases were meant to stop him organising unlicensed protests in the capital.

“Normally in such cases you get fined, but I’ve been in jail for 45 days without any verdict in these cases yet,” he said on Wednesday after his release. …source

After Bahraini security forces seized materials and tools used in the manufacture of explosive devices, a search operation is underway for three suspects believed to be involved in plotting attacks in the Gulf Island

Bahrain searching three ‘terror’ suspects: reports
AFP – 28 June, 2012

,

Bahraini security forces are searching for three suspects believed to be planning “terror” attacks in the kingdom and harbouring materials used to make explosives, media reports said on Thursday.

Bahraini security forces had “identified three suspects believed to be involved in these terror activities… for whom there is a search operation underway,” public security chief Tareq Hasan told reporters in Manama late Wednesday, according to the state news agency BNA.

Hasan said recent raids uncovered “terrorist hideouts … which resulted in the seizure of materials and tools used in the manufacture of explosive devices.”

He said the suspects involved managed to “flee” after the hideouts were raided.

Last week, Bahraini police announced they had arrested five of a group of 20 people wanted over “terror attacks” which included bombings and harming civilians and security personnel.

On May 5, the interior ministry said four policemen were wounded in a “terror blast” in a Shiite village. A similar explosion in another Shiite-populated village left four policemen wounded in April.

In a separate incident, a Bahraini court lifted a travel ban on prominent Shiite rights activist Nabil Rajab, a day after he was released from prison, a court official told AFP on Thursday.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the official said Rajab was also ordered to pay a $800 fine for posting comments deemed insulting to Bahraini security forces on his Twitter account.

Rajab was released Wednesday after a three week detention for his tweets.

He remains on trial for five separate charges, including two related to comments on the microblogging site and three for anti-regime protest actions.

The tiny Gulf kingdom’s Shiite majority claim marginalisation by the Sunni regime, and have for months been calling for political and social reforms. …more

The 2012 Egyptian Presidential Election: New US ‘Democratic’ Model for the Arab World?
By Colin S. Cavell, Ph.D., 26 June, 2012

The announcement of the victory of the Muslim Brotherhood candidate, Mohamed Morsi, by Egypt’s Elections Commission on Sunday, June 24, 2012, arguably completes the broad outline of what will become known as the boilerplate for US-constructed Arab democracy in the years ahead. With a narrow three percentage point lead, opposition candidate Morsi ostensibly won the presidential runoff held on June 16th and 17th with 51.7% of the electorate compared to the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) candidate, former General Ahmed Shafik, who is said to have garnered 48.3% of the vote. With the appearance of a nearly evenly balanced electorate, political stability is hoped for by Egyptians who want to move beyond the contentious and acrimonious contestations for power since the ousting of Mubarak in 2011.

Beset by client regimes led by aging autocrats held in contempt by their domestic populations, continued US hegemony in the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region necessitated political restructuring and a new generation of leaders if the US wished to hang on to its status as overlord in the region.

Massive unemployment, extensive disparities of wealth, rampant corruption, and a severe sense of citizen disempowerment fueled the rebellions which upended the Arab world starting with the spark ignited on December 17, 2010 when produce street vendor Mohamed Bouazizi set himself on fire in Sidi Bouzid in Tunisia to protest police harassment and demands for payoffs to allow him to continue to sell his vegetables and fruit for meager wages. The impact of Bouazizi’s act of self-immolation spread like a tsunami from Tunisia to Egypt, then on into Bahrain, Yemen, Algeria, Jordan, Morocco, Lebanon, Mauritania, Libya, Syria and elsewhere in the Arab world, ousting not only longtime autocratic leader and President of Tunisia Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in January 2011, but as well Hosni Mubarak, President of Egypt, in February 2011, Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in October 2011, and, eventually, Ali Abdullah Saleh, President of Yemen, in February 2012. Ben Ali had been in power in Tunisia for 23 years, while Mubarak had been at the helm in Egypt for 30 years, and Gaddafi had ruled Libya for 41 years, while Saleh had ruled Yemen for 33 years. Tunisia, Egypt, and Yemen have all been longtime US clients in the region with Gaddafi only aligning himself with the US within the last few years of his reign when, in 2006, the US restored full diplomatic relations with Libya and removed the country from its list of “state sponsors of terrorism” after 27 years.
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