On March 9, al-Jazeera broadcast a show that interviewed several Bahraini protesters. Since then, all those interviewed have been arrested, or beaten or are in hiding, according to al-Jazeera. That shows how thorough Barain’s officials have been.

Protester allegedly beaten after appearing on al-Jazeera

Since the protests began on February 14, several dozen protesters have been killed, hundreds have been arrested, and thousands have been injured. Almost all of the protesters have been Shia Muslims. Bahrain is governed by Sunni tribal leaders, although the population of Bahrain is 2/3 Shia. (See “18-Feb-11 News — Bahrain’s government chooses the massacre scenario.”)

The uprising escalated substantially on March 14, when the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) intervened, and a thousand Saudi troops arrived to help quell protests. (See “15-Mar-11 News — Bahrain uprising becomes explosive as Saudi troops arrive.”)

On Tuesday, Bahraini official deported two journalists working for the opposition’s main newspaper, according to AP. A government spokesman said that the paper was running fabricated news reports” and “false pictures.”

Today, the protest movement is in tatters, according to The National (UAE). Many of its leaders and activists are in prison, and the protesters are subject to harsh emergency laws.

The Saudi population is 15% Shia, and the Saudi rulers have said that they will not tolerate a Shia coup in Bahrain, since it might spill over into Saudi Arabia. Iran is thought to be encouraging exactly that kind of outcome.

Pakistan is taking an interest in the situation, according to the South Asia Analysis Group (SAAG). Pakistan’s army is recruiting two divisions on standby alert for immediate deployment to Saudi Arabia, if there’s an outbreak of political upheaval in that country. In addition, Pakistan is recruiting retired soldiers for service in the Bahrain National Guard, to protect the Sunni monarchy. These recruitments are being restricted to Sunni Muslims only; Shias are not being recruited.

Genrational Dynamics predicts that the region is headed for a war between Sunni and Shia Muslims. Historically, Hindus have been aligned with Shia Muslims, so it’s expected that India will ally with Iran, Russia and the West, while Pakistan will ally with China and the Sunni Muslim countries, in the coming Clash of Civilizations world war.

State Dept. ‘deeply concerned’ about Jewish settlement plans

The Jerusalem Planning and Building Committee discussed plans to construct 942 new housing units in east Jerusalem. The U.S. State Department issued a statement saying, “the United States is deeply concerned by continuing Israeli actions with respect to settlement construction.” It added, “not only are continued Israeli settlements illegitimate, Israel’s actions run counter to efforts to resume direct negotiations.” Haaretz

Yemen: Hundreds more protesters injured, six killed

In Yemen, anti-riot police used batons to attack protesters among 40,000 people marching in Sanaa, the capital. In Sanaa and Taiz, at least six more people were killed and hundreds were indjured from live gunshot wounds. CNN

ElBaradei: We’ll fight back if Israel attacks Gaza

Former International Atomic Energy Agency chief Mohamed ElBaradei, who is now running for president in Egypt, said that if he’s elected president then, “if Israel attacked Gaza we would declare war against the Zionist regime.” YNet

Claim: More than one million Ukrainians have converted to Islam

A Russian news agency reports that “more than one million Slavs” in Ukraine have converted to Islam since 1991, a figure that almost certainly is an exaggeration. approximately one in 30 Ukrainian residents is Muslim, while the figure is one in five for Russia. Paul Goble

Russia: Separatist movement in Siberia is growing

Although Russia has separatist movements in the Caucasus provinces, the biggest separatist threat is from the residents of Siberia. “Siberians do not even want money from the state. They can take care of themselves if they are given the opportunity to conduct free economic activity,” according to one Siberian activist. Paul Goble

Somali pirates hold 56 vessels, 886 hostages

According to a recent accounting, Somali pirates are now holding 56 foreign vessels and two barges, along with at least 886 hostages. Eurasia Review