[HPLovecraft]

One of the more interesting (and potentially most dangerous) things going on in the ME right now is the deployment of foreign troops (including Saudi Arabian) into Bahrain. For those that don't know, Bahrain is ruled by Sunni authoritarians, but is populated by a Shia majority. Saudi Arabia, of course, is a country of Sunnis, while Iran is a nation of Shia. Saudi Arabia and Iran are not the best of friends -- while not openly hostile, they do not like each other much at all behind the scenes.

It would seem that what is going on in Bahrain could be the beginning of a proxy war between the Saudis and Iranians. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Iraq etc., have for a long while now complained about Iranian meddling in Arab affairs, and I feel that Saudi Arabia deploying troops into Bahrain is because of them believing Iran is behind what is going on in that country, or they are worried that they may become more heavily involved in some way. Most protesting in Bahrain is going on in mosques and seemingly being led by different clerics -- Shia, of course. Iran has also stated they want all foreign troops to leave Bahrain.

You also have to wonder if this "right to protect" resolution that passed in Libya can't open the way for Iran claiming the "right to protect" civilians in Bahrain. The Sunni leadership has been cracking down on them . . . Only time will tell, I guess, though if you think about it this ruling in Libya certainly does open some theoretical doors for some other nations. This is one of the biggest reasons China claimed not to back it.