Analysis: “Arms Sale to Repressive Bahrain Misplaced”

An editorial in The Washington Post argues that the $53 million arms deal proposed by the Pentagon for sale to Bahrain sends an “unmistakable” and “dangerous” message. The editor urges, “Bahrain’s ruling family should be given more reason to worry about its standing in Washington,” and “a congressional hold on the arms package would be a good way to start.” The article notes that the timing of the arms sale could be particularly detrimental given human rights groups’ condemnation of the recent convictions of medical professionals and activists.

Human Rights Watch, POMED, and Human Rights First are among 13 groups that sent a letter to Congress requesting “immediate action to block the proposed arms sale to Bahrain until it ends abuses against peaceful protesters and takes meaningful steps toward political reform and accountability for recent and ongoing serious human rights violations.” Philip J. Crowley, former Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs, said, “The U.S. again displays a serious policy disconnect, announcing arms sales to Bahrain following grossly unfair trials against doctors,” and “for the U.S. to plausibly claim to support political reform in Bahrain, the military’s message right now can’t be business as usual.”