Jail4Bush:
Bahrain

Compare with the 2000 map In 1782, the Al Khalifa family captured Bahrain from the Persians. In order to secure these holdings, it entered into a series of treaties with the UK during the 19th century that made Bahrain a British protectorate. The archipelago attained its independence in 1971. Bahrain’s small size and central location among Persian Gulf countries require it to play a delicate balancing act in foreign affairs among its larger neighbors. Facing declining oil reserves, Bahrain has turned to petroleum processing and refining and has transformed itself into an international banking center. King HAMAD bin Isa Al Khalifa, after coming to power in 1999, pushed economic and political reforms to improve relations with the Shia community. Shia discontent has resurfaced in recent years, however, with opposition parties taking part in elections, street demonstrations, and low-level violence. Wifaq, the largest Shia opposition movement, in late 2006 won a plurality of seats in the elected half of the legislature.