The protests in Bahrain are now entering into the 7th day.

The people have taken back the square, with flowers, balloons and national flags. There are more articles and opinion pieces mentioning Saudi Arabia.. how the country is somewhat now surrounded by unrest on all sides; what these rallies may mean for the Kingdom.

The east coast population, here in Khobar and the area surrounding Saudi Aramco, is actually predominately Shia; the rest (and vast majority) of the country Sunni. Translation: if anything was going to happen it would be right here. But it’s quite impossible to imagine a movement. Any flame of change would be ruthlessly and efficiently snuffed out, I’m sure. It’s different here.. ”..far less vulnerable to democracy movements than other countries in the region, thanks to its vast oil wealth, its powerful religious establishment and the popularity of its king.”

The physical and psychological proximity of it is really powerful. It’s much harder to follow developments the places I have no connection to (Algeria, Yemen, Libya..). I still feel so integrated into the story, I can only imagine how the people there feel, in their own countries.

I’m learning a lot as I go along, and I have a lot of questions. What does it mean of the countries who have supplied weapons that are killing and injuring people in Manama? How much responsibility lies with them (if any)? Why is the US so quiet?  Do they really feel as though they have no power or leverage at all?

A Threat to Saudi Arabia (FT)

Saudi Arabia Feels Insecure Amid Mideast Unrest (NYT)

Saudi Arabia Risks Shiite Unrest in Wake of Bahrain (Bloomberg Businessweek)