There were no relevant committee hearings this week. 

Sentences in Bahrain Criticized, Amnesty Calls for Release of Kuwaiti Blogger: The U.S. State Department issued a statement expressing their concern about the imprisonment of Bahraini medical professionals sentenced this week to terms between 5-15 years. The U.N. Human rights office also criticized the sentences.  In Kuwait, Amnesty International called for the release of a detained blogger.

POMED, NGOs Urge Action On Bahrain Arms Sale: In response to the recently proposed arms deal to Bahrain, the Project on Middle East Democracy sent a letter to Congress, signed by a dozen other rights organizations including Human Rights Watch and Freedom House, urging Congress ”to take immediate action to block a proposed arms sale to Bahrain until it ends abuses against peaceful protesters and takes meaningful steps toward political reform and accountability for recent and ongoing serious human rights violation.” Philip J. Crowley, former Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs, said, "The U.S. again displays a serious policy disconnect, announcing arms sales to Bahrain following grossly unfair trials against doctors." The Washington Post argued that the $53 million arms deal proposed by the Pentagon for sale to Bahrain sends an "unmistakable" and "dangerous" message.

FY2012 State and Foreign Opearations Budget May Face Cuts: Congress is under pressure to enact serious cuts, some of which target the FY2012 State and Foreign Operations Budget. Senators Chris Coons (D-DE) and Johnny Isakson (R-GA) have submitted a letter to Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) Lindsey Graham (R-SC) “expressing strong support for the Development Assistance and USAID Operating Expense Accounts.”

Syria: Revolution May Enter “Militarized” Phase: Simon Tisdall of the Guardian speculated that Syria’s uprising may see a militarization that will propel Syria into a “dangerous winter of discontent.” Liz Sly reported, the “Free Syria Army” is one such group that has formed as a result of the continued defections from the ranks of the Syrian army. As reported in a Washington Post editorial, averting a civil war in Syria “would require a stronger, quicker and more forward-leading U.S. response.” The United Nations Security Council continues to negotiate amongst member nations the language of the latest resolution regarding Syria. State Department Spokesman Mark Toner rejected assertions by the Syrian government that the U.S. was helping incite rebellion. U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Michael Williams commented that "Syria is in the midst of a profound crisis.”

U.S. Pledges Ongoing Support for Egypt: Hillary Rodham Clinton met with Foreign Minister Mohamed Kamel Amr to convey the U.S.’s “very strong support for Egypt’s ongoing democratic transition.” Jackson Diehl suggested that “elections are the most likely means of arresting the downward spiral,” while James Traub said ”Egypt will have a very rough patch to negotiate but will come out more or less OK on the other side.” Ursula Lindsey wrote that “many women fear they won’t be represented—or, worse, that existing rights may be taken away.” Thanassis Cambanis outlined the strength of Egyptian workers’ movements, explaining that the collective pressure of simultaneous strikes constitutes a “new era of aggressive labor activism.” Stephen McInerney wrote about a campaign by Egypt’s ruling military council (SCAF) against Egypt’s civil society organizations, in reaction to a September 26 article in Al-Fagr newspaper (original article along with an English translation is availablehere) summarizing the results of an investigation by the Egyptian government investigation, which detailed the amounts of funding received by numerous NGOs and also declared 39 organizations to be "illegal." Eric Trager wrote that the new election laws are “the largest setback for the country’s democratic prospects,” as they will ultimately empower the Muslim Brotherhood. David Schenker argued that the army ultimately wants to return to their barracks. A new movement in the U.S. Senate aims to attach a stipulation to Egyptian aid depending on the quality of the upcoming elections and democratic freedoms. 

U.S. Congressmen Pledge Support for Tunisia Election: Rep. David Dreier (R-CA) led a delegation to Tunisia to support the country’s upcoming elections, along with Representatives David Price (D-NC), Gwen Moore (D-WI), and Keith Ellison (D-MN). Dreier said the delegation was “to encourage Tunisia, which sparked uprisings across the region when it overthrew its longtime dictator in January.” Rep. James McDermott (D-WA) advised Tunisian youth to exercise patience, adding that “elections are just the beginning.” Joshua Hammer said the Tunisian revolution has been smooth, but elections will be the most difficult test.

Republican Delegation Meets with TNC: Senators John McCain (R-AZ), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Mark Kirk (R-IL) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) addressed reporters after meeting with the head of the Transitional National Council Mustafa Abdul-Jalil. Jason Pack and Sami Zaptia contend that Libya's government must work to maintain transparency.Simon Adams said that the concept of R2P, or the responsibility to protect, was discussed last week at the U.N. General Assembly, and cautioned against using Libya as the sole benchmark for the effectiveness of R2P.

Rivalries Eclipse Progress in Bahrain and Yemen: Patrick Cockburn wrote that hardliners in the Bahraini royal family are working to marginalize Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad, seen as the most liberal royal. Brian Murphy examines the efforts of protesters to maintain popular momentum toward reform, as well as the Bahraini leadership’s fear of Shiite influence from Iran and Iraq. Letta Taylor speculated that internal political rivalries have eclipsed the Yemeni people’s call for change, and that the crisis in Yemen has “no quick fix.”

Islamists Compete in New Democracies, Palestinians See “New Era”: Anthony Shadid and David Kirkpatrick of the New York Times wrote about Islamists competing to define an Islamic state, and "they are confronting newly urgent questions about how to apply Islamic precepts to more open societies with very concrete needs."  Bill Spindle wrote that “many Palestinians, especially youths who make up the majority of the population, see the U.N. bid as something else: a sharp break with a peace process and the beginning of a new era.”