Tag: Issue 6-14-2013

  • The Background Behind the Uprising in Bahrain

    The uprising in Bahrain started on 14 February 2011. Planned and organized by a group of Bahraini youth, it was inspired in part by uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt—the beginnings of the Arab Spring. The activists—who camped in the iconic Pearl Roundabout in Manama, the capital of Bahrain—first called for political reform and equality for…

  • What’s Really Going on in Bahrain: An Interview with Activist Ala’a Shehabi

    Ala’a Shehabi is not a woman to be trifled with. Born in the U.K., she earned a Ph.D. from Imperial College London and has worked for prestigious institutions like Rand Europe and the Bahrain Institute for Banking and Finance. At the same time, Shehabi has been active in Bahrain’s ongoing uprising. She was at Pearl…

  • Bahrain Shows Two Sides of Ambitious Economic Development

    MANAMA, Bahrain—”The name ‘Bahrain’ means ‘two seas,’” our tour guide explained as we walked away from the old Portuguese fort on the outskirts of Manama. “There’s the saltwater sea that surrounds Bahrain. Then there’s the fresh water that bubbles up in the middle of the sea to our north.” The fort itself is breathtaking, set…

  • American Privilege in the Kingdom of Bahrain

    MANAMA, Bahrain —A few weeks ago, I returned from my first trip to the Middle East. Having lived in and visited many parts of the U.S., and having lived for short stints in Canada and Europe, I felt a calling to make the long journey into an Arab nation. I wanted to see with my…

  • The Rocking Chair

    She was leaning over the railing at the baggage claim. That was the first time I had seen my mother in over two years. I had my luggage in my hand and came around her from behind, surprised that she hadn’t seen me yet and wondering why she hadn’t seen me waiting for my bag…