Guys, you really don't know why they have changed the regulations. Don't listen to what they say, the real reason is that people with European/Canadian/US passports have been coming to Bahrain over the last year and helping the protestors, and they have been able to walk right. So they've basically closed this channel for everyone so now one has to go to a Bahraini Embassy and they can check your background thoroughly before you are given a visa.
Bahrain: Two American Citizens Arrested During Peaceful Protest