US Entangled in Middle East Discord Now Complicated by Iran

摘要

The US is becoming increasingly concerned about the violent crackdown on pro-democracy and Shiite protestors in Bahrain by the Bahraini royal family and Gulf allies Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. However, Washington's response has been muted because of larger concerns - the possibility of Iranian involvement in Bahrain's political turmoil, which would threaten key US military and energy interests in the broader Gulf region.