US needs Bahrain’s help to continue Mideast policies: Analyst
US Secretary of State John Kerry is forced to shower Bahraini rulers with fake praise as the United States needs Manama’s help to continue its military and political presence in the Middle East, an American author and political commentator says.
Stephen Lendman made the comments over Kerry’s glossing over of the Al Khalifah regime’s brutal crackdown on anti-regime protesters in the Arab country.
“Of course Kerry would not show up in Bahrain unless he has praise in mind and probably some handouts he wanted to give to the Bahraini government,” whether it is weapons or more US aid, Lendman said.
The Chicago-based radio host said Washington specifically needs Manama on its side because without the monarchy’s help it would not be able to deploy warships and troops to the Persian Gulf and forward its policies in the Middle East.
“America is in bed with that brutal regime the same way it is with Saudi Arabia, Qatar and with Turkey,” he added.
Making the first visit to Bahrain by a top American official since the 2011 uprising, Kerry described the kingdom as a “critical security partner,” and praised the ruling Al Khalifah family for their “seriousness” in pushing human rights.
"Here, as in all nations, we believe that respect for human rights and an inclusive political system are essential," Kerry said on Thursday.
The top US diplomat however made no specific mention of the repression or discrimination against the country's Shia-majority and instead accused the opposition of “polarizing” the situation by boycotting the previous elections in 2014.
More than one hundred people have been killed in the 5-years-long demonstrations while hundreds more, including notable opposition figures, have been put behind bars for their involvement in the uprising.
The Al Khalifah regime has ignored international calls for political reform.
Kerry was set to meet with his counterparts from the six-nation [Persian] Gulf Cooperation Council ([P]GCC) later on Thursday.
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