The International Automobile Federation, or FIA, has confirmed it will proceed with the Formula One racing championship in Bahrain later this month despite calls for the event’s cancellation in solidarity with Bahraini protesters. The event was canceled last year as Bahrain launched a major crackdown on pro-democracy activists. The Obama administration is slowly paying more lip service to the plight of Bahraini protesters. This week, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said the U.S. has “continued concern” for the life of Abdulhadi Alkhawaja, a jailed activist who has been on a hunger strike for more than two months. Last Sunday marked the 60th day of Alkhawaja’s hunger strike and the first anniversary of his arrest.