Bahrain

The uprising against Bahrain's Al Khalifa royal family that began on February 14, 2011, amidst other regional uprisings, has not toppled Bahrain's regime or achieved the goals of the mostly Shiite opposition to establish a constitutional monarchy. Demonstrations continue, although they are smaller and less frequent since mid-2013, as Bahrain's Shiites seek to bring pressure to bear on the Sunni-dominated government to increase Shiite political influence and rights. And, there are signs the opposition is radicalizing-bombings and other violent tactics against security officials have become more frequent since 2012. The government has offered relatively modest concessions to date, while continuing to arrest and intimidate Shiite leaders. The crisis has demonstrated that the grievances of the Shiite majority over the distribution of power and economic opportunities have not been satisfied by modest reforms.