: Bahrain unrest may have regional, financial impact | Reuters

Analysis: Bahrain unrest may have regional, financial impact | Reuters: "It is the Gulf Arab state seen as most vulnerable to unrest because of deep-rooted discontent among its majority Shi'ite population against the ruling Sunni dynasty, the al-Khalifas. The populace complains of economic hardships, lack of political freedoms and discrimination in jobs in favor of Sunnis.

This has always sat awkwardly with its status as a regional banking, trading and Islamic finance hub, but its advantages, as a diversified economy and relatively liberal society, have outweighed the risks -- thus far.

'If you're trying to set yourself as a financial hub you need to provide security and stability above all else,' said Sven Richter, managing director and head of frontier markets at Renaissance Asset Management."