Reports of the early stages of a Saudi military withdrawal from Bahrain – if confirmed – reflects a deliberate political recalibration. Riyadh is drawing new lines for what it expects in return for its security backing. Citing “secret sources,” the Dark Box reveals that: “The decision to pull out troops … came after a breakdown in coordination and trust, driven by what Saudi officials perceived as a Bahraini alignment with Emirati positions that run counter to Saudi interests.” The era of blank checks has ended, and Manama is being told to prove its alignment. The GCC’s image of unity is giving way to a quieter reshuffling of roles, where loyalty now carries a price. This withdrawal, or even the discussion of it, redefines what was once a patron-client relationship. It challenges the illusion of Gulf unanimity, revealing a system more accurately described as a managed rivalry between two regional heavyweights…