Bahrain’s unique position in the Persian Gulf offers an interesting case study of how political mobilization is possible for citizens who live under strict minority rule. Unlike its Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) partners, Bahrain consists of a 70% primarily Twelver Shi’i majority. While it is not accurate to place recent political events in Bahrain exclusively within the context of the ongoing Iran-Saudi Arabia rivalry, it is difficult to understand the sectarian nature of the ruling regime towards its Shi’i citizens without considering the events of 1979 (and 2003) and its implications on the wider relationship between Sunnis and Shias in the region and globally.

By: Will Crass and Juliana Rordorf

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