Bahrain became "Fiji."

So how do you escape from a repressive island kingdom surrounded by Iraq in the North, Iran in the East and Bahrain-ally Saudi Arabia in the West. One initial idea was a "party" yacht that would dock in Bahrain, surreptitiously pick up Abdulemam, and slowly make its way to Iraq. Unfortunately, voyages like that aren't common, and the risk of being picked up by a Saudi -- or worse, an Iranian -- patrol boat was too great.

A land escape was not an option, given that from Bahrain, Abdulemam would have to enter Saudi Arabia along a narrow causeway carefully guarded by Gulf Cooperation Council police and troops. Not only that, the Saudi dictatorship would consider Abdulemam a valuable gift to their allies in Bahrain.

In the end,the most outlandish plan was the one approved by a member of Denmark's Jaeger Corps, the elite Special Forces unit who volunteered to consult on the project. Over dinner in New York, the Jaeger Corpsman agreed with a plan in which the Bahrainis themselves would serve an unknowing role in Abdulemam's escape. We would try to find a way in which the monarchy's authorities would treat our rescue team as VIPs and untouchable guests.

A Los Angeles-based artist, Tyler Ramsey, agreed to operate as the cover during the Bahrain trip. Famous for his drip-paint technique and for decorating 50,000 Toms Shoes in his signature style, Ramsey would go to Bahrain and do what he does best: performance art. "Make sure I don't end up in a jail cell," he