Like several Arab states, Bahrain has a limited form of democracy. It also has the veneer of a western life-style, with McDonalds and Starbucks (and alcohol). Just a few years ago Bahrain was known for its brutal repression, but under a new ruler, King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa, the state has freed political prisoners and held elections (2002). Women were allowed to vote and run for office. The Bush administration points to Bahrain as a country moving in the right direction. However, many in the majority Shiite population claim these changes have only been artificial. And although women were given the vote, most still wear the shroud-like black abayas. Meanwhile, nearly half the cabinet are members of the King's family. This is the fourth episode in this limited series.

In the early 1990s, a young American man worked as a ghostwriter for a member of the royal family of Bahrain. Now, 20 years later, Ranjit Singh is sharing his story about the man who would become the Bahraini minister of information and a key figure in the brutal response to that country’s recent uprising. Also featured: Camels were once imported from Afghanistan to build the Australian railroad and telegraph lines.  Now their numbers are so abundant in the wild that they have become a nuisance and the Australian government is permitting people to shoot them from helicopters and use the meat for burgers.   Shah Mahmoud Hanifi studied the camel trade and presented his findings at the international Camel Conference in London.