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 … Continue reading

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 … Continue reading

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 … Continue reading

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 … Continue reading

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 … Continue reading

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. … Continue reading