Political Crisis: One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

The decision by Bahrain's main Shi'a opposition group al-Wefaq in early August to boycott parliamentary elections (which are likely to take place later this year) is further indication that the country's political crisis is far from over, regardless of the apparent calm that has emerged on the streets of Manama in recent months. Although the government has seemingly made substantive steps towards addressing some of the protestors' largest grievances - including ending emergency rule and holding negotiations over possible constitutional amendments - it is clear that these efforts have largely been in vain.

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