An Iranian Opportunity in Bahraini and Saudi Protests

Low-level anti-government protests in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province have continued sporadically since February 2011. But the July 8 arrest of a prominent Shiite cleric has led to an increase in demonstrations and a return to the promotion of aggressive protest tactics. There appear to be similarities between those tactics and tactics used by the more violent Shiite opposition factions nearby in the Sunni-dominated island nation of Bahrain, possibly indicating that protest groups in the two countries have increased coordination. 

Such cooperation would be notable for both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. But the possibility that Iran is playing a role in the intensifying protests is more important. Threatened by the teetering regime in Syria, Tehran is looking for ways to demonstrate that it still is capable of sparking instability in strategic places. Saudi Arabia and Bahrain would be ideal locations for such a display.