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Gulf leaders hear rumblings of dissent

By BRIAN MURPHY, Associated Press Brian Murphy, Associated Press � Tue Feb 8, 6:38 am ET

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates � There were only a few dozen Saudi women at a protest to demand the release of prisoners they claim are unfairly linked to militants. Yet the small act of defiance in Riyadh is part of a wider question for autocratic rulers in the Gulf who wonder if the ripples from Egypt could head their way.

It's too early to predict what � if any � street demonstrations could rise across a region symbolized by its skyscraper-studded wealth, super-powerful sheiks and monarchs and some of Washington's most important military footholds.

The failure to draw crowds at planned rallies in Syria last week also underscores that the protest fire from Tunisia and Egypt apparently can be stamped out by hard-line state security, which is also a hallmark of Gulf states.

But there's no shortage of hints that reform-seeking groups in the Gulf are trying to seize the moment.

The rare protest rally on Saturday in Saudi's capital came a week after Saudi activists launched a Facebook page demanding more jobs and political accountability in the world's biggest oil exporter. Calls on social media sites also have gone out for protests next week in Bahrain and next month in Kuwait � the two Gulf nations with the most active and organized political opposition.

...

"This is the Achilles' heel of the Gulf," said Christopher Davidson, a Gulf expert at the University of Durham in Britain. "There might be belief in change in other parts of the Arab world, but they don't want it to get too close."

In some ways, it's already at their doorstep.

A Kuwaiti group calling itself Fifth Fence is using Twitter messages for calls to rise up against "undemocratic practices" by the government, which has been under increasing pressure from opposition lawmakers over allegations of fiscal abuse and attempts to roll back political freedoms.

complete article at link

[blobbo]

I hope not. I want to work in Saudi for September.

[Junior]

[rollo]

Iran is next. I believe a large protest is happening this week. Saudi maybe but I think more gradual change. Iran will be violent when it blows. The revolutionary guard unleashed the thugs in 2009 during the demonstrations. I think the dissidents will fight back this time. Iran is ripe young population and a lot of internet access.

[akcrono]

[Junior]

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[comm]

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[jvalmer]

[bucheon bum]

[rollo]

I think it is easy to armchair quarterback but when you are in a life or death situation maybe the choices are not so easy. So of course there are divisions within the military and divisions within the ranks of protesters. The losers in this probably get chopped. Before Mubarak can leave there has to be some kind of transitional government. I also think it is time the military took control of the change.

[Nowhere Man]

All of the protests you see are in the poor countries.

Saudi Arabia is a kingdom, not run by a cleric. Its king provides a lot for its people and has some of the deepest pockets in the world to do so.

The only possible case of status quo there being disturbed is a succession, and even in that case it is a pretty far-flung prospect.

[rollo]

Saudi no I cant see it. Kuwait, the al Sabahs have ruled there since the 1750's and are very clever and flexible. The average income in Kuwait is about $55,000 a year and only 2% unemployment. Iran , will blow up but the next candidate is Jordan.