02-18-2011, 11:26 AM
[url="http://www.kforcegov.com/Services/IS/NightWatch/NightWatch_11000037.aspx"] link[/url]
Quote:Comment: One important difference with Egypt's handling of the demonstrations is the performance of the armies in the two states. Policemen always do what they are paid to do, unless they run away. But the Army's response to civil disorder problems determines which side has the most guns.
The Egyptian Army used the demonstrations to [color="#FF0000"]alter the leadership succession[/color]. In short, it was insubordinate as an institution. Western encomiums/encomia about its professionalism are belied by the leadership's political maneuvering during the past month to ensure there will be no Mubarak dynasty.
Compare that highly politicized behavior with the Bahraini forces who followed the King's orders. Discipline and responsiveness to command and control is helped by the presence of the King's relatives from the al Khalifa clan at all top command levels and government ministries.
As an exercise in suppressing noisy opposition, this was a model. This is an example when the overreaction, i.e., use of overwhelming force, proved effective in halting the downward staircase. The quality and quantity of force overwhelmed the resistance capabilities of the opposition in Manama. That never happened in Cairo because the Army leadership was insubordinate and politicized.
For the record. All leaders of the Gulf Coordination Council supported Bahraini King Hamad al Khalifa's decision to stabilize his country.
For the record. A Fox News entertainer got carried away with his bit of learning on 17 February when he compared Bahrain and Saudi Arabia as two countries with Shiite majorities that are governed by Sunni leaders. That is accurate for Bahrain, but for Saudi Arabia, 15% of the population is Shiite who ive mainly in the Eastern Province.