The US and Bahrain: The War Machine Marches On

http://www.asianews.it/news-en/One-billion-euros-from-Bahrain-for-latest-generation-US-helicopters-45493.html

Bahrain, viewed by some as a Saudi puppet state is certainly less than autonomous. The nation hosts the US Fifth Naval Fleet and thus is closely allied with and influenced by Washington.

Western Media all but ignored the Bahraini Shiite uprising during the 2011 Arab Spring. The nation which has a majority Shiite population is nevertheless ruled by a Sunni monarchy closely allied with and dependent upon Riyadh.

In fact as the article indicates, the repression of the Shiites has not flagged in the seven plus years since the original protests. And even while Washington pretends to be concerned about human rights in places like Venezuela, they turn a blind eye to the polices of Manama. As long as the regime remains friendly to American interests they will be protected. The relationship has now deepened as the Bahraini military is making large weapons purchases from the United States. Money is being made and the Pentagon strengthens its grip over portions of the Arabian Peninsula.