As Bahrain Gets Tough, Speculation About Divisions in Royal Family

On a day when Bahrain security forces have been rounding up demonstratorsx aznd showing a tough line against protests, there is growing speculation (such as this story) of splits in the ruling Al Khalifa family. Several accounts now suggest that the Crown Prince, Prince Salman, was about to negotiate a reform deal that would bring the opposition into talks, when Sunday's violence erupted and brought the GCC intervention on Monday. The Crown Prince is widely seen as a reformer, but if there is any truth to this version of events, it would appear that hardliners within the family are now in the ascendant, with Saudi support backing then up.

I'm down with some kind of bug today but expect to post more later.