Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Enough is Enough

Bahrain, with the backing of their mainland Sunni Arab allies who are unwilling to risk Iran gaining a foothold on the island nation, are moving to disperse protesters:

Soldiers and riot police expelled hundreds of protesters from a landmark square in Bahrain's capital on Wednesday, using tear gas and armored vehicles to try to subdue the growing movement calling for an end to the 200-year-old monarchy. At least six people were killed as clashes flared across the kingdom, according to witnesses and officials.

It isn't clear what role the Saudi contingent is playing. Weapons have been used, too.

Given the stakes that outside regional powers and America have in this (and given Western reactions to the Libya revolt), the protesters would have been better off taking concessions offered rather than pushing for everything at once.