Saudi youth fighting against Assad regime in Syria
GlobalPost has learned that hundreds of young Saudis are flocking to Syria in a ‘holy war’ against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. By Reese Erlich GlobalPost, March 13, 2013 Editor’s Note: This dispatch is part of a GlobalPost Special Report exploring the rift between Sunni and Shia Muslims, “In the Land of Cain & Abel,” marking … Read more
Bahrain: 30 days in jail for one tweet
Human rights activist Sayed Yousif al-Muhafdha had a month to reflect on his country’s uprising. By Reese Erlich GlobalPost, March 18, 2013 MANAMA, Bahrain — Human rights activist Sayed Yousif al-Muhafdha had no idea who followed him on Twitter. That is, until he was arrested one afternoon. As the acting head of the Bahrain … Read more
Shia Muslims in Saudi Arabia keep the protest movement alive
Though illegal in the kingdom, open dissent is alive and well in Qatif. By Reese Erlich, GlobalPost, March 18, 2013 Editor’s Note: When Arab Spring protests broke out in Saudi Arabia in 2011, the government reacted quickly. It pumped $130 billion into the economy, including hiring 300,000 new state workers and raising salaries. It also … Read more
In Bahrain, a growing Sunni-Shia rift
by Reese Erlich GLOBAL POST 3/18/13 Sunni and Shia have lived in peace in Bahrain for centuries. But since the 2011 uprising, tensions between the two groups have divided the country. MANAMA, Bahrain — Over the past month, tens of thousands of mostly Shia demonstrations have marched and rallied for democratic rights in Bahrain. The … Read more
First Hand Report from Bahrain
Teenage demonstrator killed on second anniversary of Bahrain uprising A centuries-old rift been Sunni and Shia Islam runs through the increasingly sectarian revolt. By Reese Erliich, Special to the Global Post, Feb. 14, 2013 MANAMA, Bahrain — The movement opposing Bahrain’s autocratic monarchy is gaining strength in what has become the longest-running uprising of the … Read more
Bahrain’s labor unions split over uprising
A new union association set up to support the government is dividing Bahrain’s labor movement. Reese Erlich, December 13, 2012 06:00 MANAMA, Bahrain — Last year, militant unions set up tents in the center of Bahrain’s capital. They were showing solidarity with peaceful demonstrations calling for an end to the country’s dictatorship. Within a week … Read more
Bahrain’s monarchy stokes divisions between Sunni and Shiite
When the uprising in Bahrain began, both Sunni and Shiites took to the streets together. Now they barely talk. And it has nothing to do with religion. Reese Erlich, December 13, 2012 06:00 MANAMA, Bahrain — Farida Ghulam settled down on a brocaded couch in her home in an upscale district of Manama. She’s a … Read more
Bahrain’s changing opposition
Frustrated by a lack of progress, a younger, more militant faction of Bahrain’s reform movement is threatening the moderates. Reese Erlich, December 12, 2012 17:12 MUHAZZA VILLAGE, Bahrain — After nearly two years of frustration, the Arab Spring uprising against Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa al Khalifa, a key US ally, is growing increasingly tense. … Read more
Gays of Syria, Unite!
DAILLY BEAST, Aug. 29, 2012 Homosexuality is illegal in Syria, despite Assad’s promises of reform. Why some gays are joining the revolution. By Reese Erlich. by Reese Erlich | August 29, 2012 4:15 AM EDT Mahmoud Hassino knew he was gay at age 12. He wasn’t attracted to girls, but he was very interested in … Read more
Syria: The Kurdish Wild Card
TruthDig, Aug 28, 2012 By Reese Erlich The apartment reminds me of a ’60s-era crash pad. Syrian Kurds in their 20s sprawl on every available bed, couch and sleeping mat. Posters line the walls extolling Kurdish martyrs who fought Bashar al-Assad. Fighters, smugglers, medics and demonstration organizers who have fled Syria stay here in Antakya, near the … Read more
