البحرين « ƆAL-BAHRAJN »
— Officially: المملكة البحرين « ɔal-Mamlakaḧ ɔal-Bahrajn ».
— English: Bahrain.
— Seat of government: المنامة « ɔal-Manāmaḧ ».
— Status: Not democratic.
— Structure: Autocratic government under a hereditary monarch.
— Governing party: آل خليفة « Ɔāl Xalīfaḧ ».
— Head of government: حمد بن عيسى آل خليفة « Hamad bin Cīsaj ɔāl Xalīfaḧ », ملك « malik » (since 1999).
— Chief opposition party: جمعية الوفاق الوطنى الإسلامية « Ĝamcīaḧ ɔal-Ŭifāq ɔal-Ŭatanī ɔal-Ɔislāmīaḧ », led by على سلمان « Calī Salmān ».
— Assessment: To end a popular revolt that began in 1994, the state in 2002 was declared a constitutional monarchy, partially as subterfuge and partially to allow the امير « ɔamīr » to take a more exalted title (‘ملك « malik »’). Despite the act, the parliament is only partially elected and the ملك « malik » and his family retain ultimate control. Liberalization largely ended in the ربيع العربي « Rabīc ɔal-Carabī » in 2011, when another popular uprising took place and was harshly repressed. The majority of the population is شيعى « Šīcī », in contrast to the ruling family, and has little power; women were allowed equal participation in politics starting in 2002. A 2014 parliamentary election was boycotted by the opposition.
— FH: 6-6, not free. Econ: 2.53 (150), authoritarian.
— Updated: 2014 November 25.
O.T. FORD