Can Bahrain Opposition Unite?
 

It is an undeniable fact that unity – while it is not a goal but a mean – is the best “weapon” Bahrain’s opposition has to stand against the illegitimate regime of Alkhalifa and their regional and western allies. The critical importance of this “weapon” makes it vital that it has to be utilized to its full potential. However, there is also a potential risk that if unity is misused, it can bring disastrous results!

The question that naturally comes to mind is that how it is possible to “properly” unite the different opposition parties and groups when they seek different (and often contradicting) goals? In our opinion, three options manifest:

Option 1: unite under reforming the regime
Option 2: unite under overthrowing the regime
Option 3: unite under a dual-goal program that seek self-determination and regime overthrow.

If the opposition unites under “reforming the regime” regardless of the seriousness of the reform, this would practically convert the revolution into an ongoing quest for perfecting the underlying political system, which can be seen in countries where democracy has already matured. This is the preferred option for the United States and its western allies.

On the other hand, if the opposition unites under “overthrowing the regime”, the political societies would be dissolved and its members would be imprisoned. This time, however, the US administration is not expected to intervene on behalf of the societies like it did last April.

Diversifying revolutionary activities between seeking the right of Self-Determination (for the political societies) and overthrowing the regime (for Coalition of Feb 14 Youth) would concentrate efforts in one direction and would push the regime as well as its western allies very hard to listen to opposition’s demands. Beside, the right for self-determination is accredited worldwide and should not “embarrass” the formal opposition in any sense.

A “natural” fourth option, which is diversifying activities between reforming the regime (for political societies) and overthrowing it (for youth coalition), is invalid simply because it’s self-contradictory!

At Pearl Revolution Political Center, we adopt the third option and urge anyone who might agree to make our voices heard by the political societies to demand self-determination for the nation of Bahrain.

Your opinion is important to us, so please do not hesitate to share it.

Pearl Revolution Political Center