What’s up with CFR’s Ed Husain and Bahrain?

The Council on Foreign Relations is the most establishment of foreign policy think tanks in Amreeka, and we know the US military establishment loves Bahrain, its Saudi backers and the nice naval base it provides. Still, considering the repression of protestors, the torture, the kidnappings, and all that oppression by a kleptocratic ruling family representing the minority of the population, how come CFR’s Ed Husain is so gung-ho about the Khalifas?

Here’s what he’s been writing on Twitter:

Honored to meet His Excellency @khalidalkhalifa today in #Bahrain. Thoughtful, caveated, and visionary. Bahrain’s ‘opposition’: engage.

— Ed Husain (@Ed_Husain) April 16, 2012

He doesn’t have nice things to say about the opposition though — and by the way, why 'opposition'? Does he believe they are not real, or ironic?

Heading off to meet ‘opposition’ leaders in #Bahrain. Met senior parliamentarians earlier. They represent the people - not thugs on streets.

— Ed Husain (@Ed_Husain) April 16, 2012

Could that come from the fact that he appears to be given access most journalists and NGOs are denied:

In #Bahrain and have been given free access to all and sundry. Syria's Assad could learn from this freedom to access opposition.

— Ed Husain (@Ed_Husain) April 16, 2012

There’s already a fuss on Twitter about this. Husain says he’ll respond on his blog when he returns to Washington:

Thanks to those of you who wrote to me about #Bahrain. Looking forward to longer conversation on my blog on return to USA.

— Ed Husain (@Ed_Husain) April 16, 2012

I look forward to hearing more about it too — I think. I get being in favor of reconciliation, as Husain is. But this frankly sounds like either paid-for PR or incredible naiveté.