Bahrain faces new tensions as King Hamad hands more power to son Nasser

A fresh wave of protests centred on conditions in Jaw prison points to a resumption of public tensions between the authorities and Shia opponents after a period of relative calm. Meanwhile, in line with the recent pattern of political developments in other Gulf monarchies, ever more influence is being concentrated in the hands of the king’s immediate family, as his security-focused son Sheikh Nasser is given new influence over a crucial sector of the economy.