Bahrain

NPR's Kelly McEvers found herself crying unpredictably during the Arab Spring, when friends were being kidnapped and worse. Why do otherwise intelligent people risk their lives to report on conflicts? In a new hourlong radio documentary, she turns the mic on herself to search for an answer.

Thursday is the second anniversary of the uprising in Bahrain where tens of thousands took to the streets to demand political changes and greater equality for the island kingdom's Shiite majority. The uprising was put down by security forces aided by troops from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The government and opposition leaders have begun a dialogue but violence continue, especially in the Shiite towns and cities outside the capital, Manama.

After early reports that the singer known for party anthems like "Party Til You Puke," was headed to the restive Gulf country hosted by the U.S. embassy, the State Department decided it wasn't an appropriate use of government money.

Nabeel Rajab was already serving a three-month sentence for his anti-government tweets.

On Sunday morning, Formula One racing cars are competing for first place in a controversial race in the Arab kingdom of Bahrain. Violent anti-government protests have continued in the run-up to the race. Host Rachel Martin talks with Nabeel Rajab, president of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights.

Protests rocked Bahrain last year and forced the cancellation of a Formula One Grand Prix race. But the country's rulers say they will not give in to demonstrators, and this year's race, set for Sunday, will go ahead as planned.

More than 100 million viewers around the world are expected to tune-in to watch a Grand Prix race in the Persian Gulf nation of Bahrain this weekend. The same race was cancelled there last year for safety reasons, amid Arab Spring protests and police crack downs. While turmoil still exists, ESPN senior writer Ryan McGee tells Audie Cornish this year's race will likely go on, but it won't be without controversy.

A year after an uprising began in the Gulf nation much remains the same. Government security forces used tear gas and stun grenades to stop protests before they began.