By By Michael Margavitch, Columnist
On St. Patrick’s Day this year, while Americans were enjoying their copious amounts of alcohol, Bahrain was thrown into chaos. Troops arrested six opposition leaders, who sought reform. However, instead of putting an end to the chaos, the opposition promises to fight more furiously the more they are challenged by the government.
The government feels that the opposition party is a danger to the country as they “called for the downfall of the regime.” The United States, who usually has a strong voice when it comes to the recent trend of uprisings in the Middle East, is staying relatively timid in this particular instance.
While Obama is disturbed by the conflict within Bahrain, his objections were seen as too quiet and not forceful. He urged the protestors and government to work together and create some changes rather than fully backing the opposition groups, as he had done in the other riotous incidents. This is because Bahrain is the ally, one that America cannot afford to lose.
This is Obama’s way of not ruffling too many feathers. He does not want to cut ties with King Hamad bin Issa al-Khalifa, because the Khalifa royal family has always had good relations with Washington.
Should Obama have gotten involved at all? No, he should not have. America has enough problems to worry about on its own. It is impossible to solve all domestic problems while trying to be the hero for everybody else. Most of the time, the people of the other countries do not appreciate our efforts. If the opposition groups want their country to change, then they need to finish what they have started. It sounds horrible, but one man cannot take on all of this responsibility.
With that being said, if Obama wants to interject in regard to some uprisings, he cannot pick and choose which ones to back. He either needs to back the opposition to the government in every instance or stay out of the affairs of the country.
It is all for the sake of consistency. It looks bad on Obama’s part to back the protesters of Egypt, asking for Mubarak’s resignation while he lets Khalifa off easy because he is a friend.
His message to Khalifa is what a kindergarten teacher would say to two kids who are having trouble cooperating on a group project. Hey, come on guys. Work together.
Please, Mr. Obama. You are in too deep now by backing all of the other opposition groups, so you need to make the choice to be consistent and help Bahrain.
Should We Take The Reigns In Bahrain?
By: Michael Margavitch
