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Allegations of torture and disagreement over defendants’ state-appointed lawyers delay controversial trial

Crown Prince Salman Bin Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa said on 8 February that Arab leaders should make popular demands for political freedoms a “priority”,

With Bahrain’s ‘Day of Rage’ scheduled for 14 February, a political opposition that has generally been contained by the state since the intifadas of the mid-90s could now present a real challenge to Al- Khalifa rule.

The political environment has deteriorated. King Hamad seems to believe that his regime can survive only if it recovers popular consent. But he is troubled by deteriorating communal politics, and faces opposition from within Al- Khalifa ranks.

WikiLeaks’ publication of US diplomatic documents sheds light on a well-known but secretive relationship

Libya has acquired Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (Adia)’s stake in Bahrain-based Arab Banking Corporation (ABC), bringing its total holding in Bahrain’s second largest bank to almost 60%.

The GCC states have differing views on the Iranian threat, with hardliners pushing for military action and others preferring the diplomatic route

Bahrain criticises Rafale fighter. US-Iraq $100m arms deal

Foreign minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal proposed a Nato-backed Arab army to destroy the Iranian-backed Hizbollah movement in Lebanon in 2008. Documents released by WikiLeaks suggest that certain military operations against Al-Qaeda in Yemen, claimed by Sanaa to be the work of Yemeni forces, were carried out by the US.

The effects of the global downturn on Dubai, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia have forced traders, financiers and insurers to assess GCC credit and political risk more closely. And some firms are expanding their GCC teams to do so

Governments seek Atacms deals, US in $71m Javelin missile sale

An underwriter told GSN that, adding salt to the wounds, “there has been no real premium hike for Saudi risks whereas premiums are high for Bahrain, disproportionate to its credit rating, as it starts to come back in the market”. The underwriter added

After a solid performance by Al-Wefaq, Bahrain’s secular liberals now face a critical challenge in the run-off contest for the lower house. For the first time since parliament was restored eight years ago, the opposition has a tangible chance of winning half the seats in the national assembly, after the results of the first-round vote on 23 October.

The government is under serious international pressure over its crackdown on opposition supporters, many of whom have been detained for months without trial and with little or no contact with families or lawyers.

The House Financial Services Committee hearing A Review of Current and Evolving Trends in Terrorism Financing took place on 28 September. Among the four witnesses was Eric Lewis, a partner in Washington-based law firm Baach Robinson Lewis, who is representing Ahmed Hamad Al-Gosaibi and Brothers (AHAB). The hearing looked at the dispute between AHAB and Maan Al-Sanea, and the movement of $1trn of funds between Middle East financial institutions and US banks since 11 September 2001.