Bahrain Analysis: Does Al Wefaq Still Lead the Opposition to the Regime? (Dickinson)
Wednesday, December 19, 2012 at 9:49 | Scott Lucas in EA Middle East and Turkey, Middle East and Iran Protest in Manama on "Martyrs Day" on Monday
"I appreciate how hard they have pushed for reform," she said in a café, in between homework assignments. "But sometimes Al Wefaq drives me crazy."
Jamana is not alone in her growing disgruntlement with the Shiite bloc and its allies.
Since long-running protests against the government intensified last year on the heels of upheavals in Tunisia, Egypt and elsewhere in the Arab world, the Al Wefaq-led opposition has taken pains to reiterate its support for the monarchy even as they call for political reform. Their peaceful, licensed marches have been supported by tens of thousands of Bahrainis. Two weeks ago, the head of Al Wefaq asked supporters not to chant anti-regime slogans.
As the kingdom's political stalemate has ground on, however, mounting frustration among once-moderate critics and opponents of the government has translated into growing support for groups whose goals and tactics are more extreme.