Bahrain-Us Relations: A Strong Alliance?

Bahrain has been designated a Major Non-Nato Ally by the United States, a status that underscores the strong ties of friendship and close strategic partnership between the two countries. The US Navy has had a presence in Bahrain since the end of World War II, and the country is now home to the US Navy's Fifth Fleet. Bahrain has also participated in US-led military coalitions, including the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS. The US-Bahrain relationship was formalized in 1971 when Bahrain gained independence from the United Kingdom and established diplomatic relations with the US. The US embassy in Manama was opened in 1971, and a resident ambassador was sent in 1974. Bahrain's embassy in Washington, DC, opened in 1977.

Bahrain is a Major Non-NATO Ally of the US

Bahrain has been designated a Major Non-NATO Ally of the United States, a status that underscores the strong ties of friendship and close strategic partnership between the two countries. This status provides Bahrain with access to a number of benefits reserved for North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allied states, including potential participation in cooperative research and development, priority access to Excess Defense Articles (EDA), and cooperative training.

Bahrain is a vital US partner in defence initiatives and plays a key role in the region's security architecture. It hosts the US Navy's Fifth Fleet and US Naval Forces Central Command and participates in US-led military coalitions, including the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS. Bahrain's security forces have also supported the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, providing perimeter security at a military base. Bahrain was the first Arab state to lead a Coalition Task Force patrolling the Gulf region and has supported the coalition counter-piracy mission with a deployment of its flagship.

In August 2019, Bahrain was the first country in the Gulf region to announce publicly that it had joined the US-led International Maritime Security Construct to promote freedom of navigation in the region. The US-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement (FTA) entered into force in 2006, generating additional commercial opportunities for both countries. In 2021, two-way trade between the US and Bahrain exceeded $2 billion, up from $1.5 billion in 2020.

The United States and Bahrain have a long history of diplomatic relations, with the US establishing an embassy in Manama, Bahrain's capital, in 1971, following Bahrain's independence from the United Kingdom. Bahrain opened its embassy in Washington, D.C. in 1977. The two countries have since collaborated on various economic and security initiatives, including the fight against terrorism and efforts to maintain stability in the Persian Gulf region.

The US and Bahrain have a history of security cooperation

Bahrain's small size and its proximity to larger, more powerful neighbours like Iran and Iraq have made it dependent on closer security ties with a western patron, particularly the US. This relationship has intensified since 1991, with Bahrain providing support for US-led military coalitions and operations in the Gulf, including the Gulf War, the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, and the International Maritime Security Construct. Bahrain has also supported the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan and was the first Arab state to lead a Coalition Task Force patrolling the Gulf region.

The US-Bahrain security cooperation is further strengthened by the Defense Cooperation Agreement signed in October 1991, which grants US forces access to Bahraini facilities and allows for the pre-positioning of war material. Bahrain also participates in joint training exercises with the US and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members, enhancing interoperability and regional security.

The US provides military equipment, training, and assistance to Bahrain, helping to improve its maritime defences, counter-terrorism capabilities, and human rights record. Bahrain, in turn, supports US efforts to limit Iranian ambitions in the Gulf and counter threat financing.

This security cooperation between the US and Bahrain has been a key aspect of their relationship, with Bahrain playing a pivotal role in America's strategic and security interests in the region.

Bahrain is home to the US Navy's Fifth Fleet

Bahrain has been recognised as a Major Non-Nato Ally (MNNA) by the United States since 2002. This status highlights the strong ties of friendship and strategic partnership between the two countries. As an MNNA, Bahrain has access to several benefits, including cooperative research and development, priority access to defence articles, and cooperative training.

Bahrain is also a vital partner in defence initiatives, playing a key role in the region's security architecture. Notably, Bahrain hosts the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet and U.S. Naval Forces Central Command. The Fifth Fleet is a numbered fleet of the United States Navy, with an area of responsibility encompassing approximately 2.5 million square miles, including the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and parts of the Indian Ocean.

The history of the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet dates back to World War II when it was established in 1944 and played a significant role in defeating Japanese forces in the Central Pacific. After remaining inactive for 48 years, the Fifth Fleet was reactivated in 1995 and has since contributed to the Global War on Terrorism, projecting U.S. naval power in the Middle East.

The headquarters of the Fifth Fleet are located at NSA Bahrain in Manama, the capital of Bahrain. This strategic location allows the Fifth Fleet to direct operations in the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, and Arabian Sea, which are crucial waterways for global trade and energy security.

The presence of the Fifth Fleet in Bahrain underscores the country's importance to America's strategic and security interests in the region. It also demonstrates Bahrain's commitment to supporting U.S. naval power and maintaining stability in the Middle East. The partnership between Bahrain and the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet is a key aspect of the strong bilateral relationship between the two countries.

The US and Bahrain have a Defense Cooperation Agreement

The United States and Bahrain have a long-standing defense partnership, with the US recognizing Bahrain as a Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) in 2002. This status provides Bahrain with access to various benefits, including potential participation in cooperative research and development, priority access to defense equipment, and cooperative training. Bahrain hosts the US Navy's Fifth Fleet and the headquarters of the US Naval Forces Central Command, with thousands of US military personnel deployed in the country.

In September 2023, the two countries signed the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement (C-SIPA), a legally binding agreement aimed at enhancing cooperation in defense, security, intelligence collaboration, science, technology, and trade. This agreement builds on decades of security partnership between the US and Bahrain's military forces and is expected to foster broader regional security integration and mutual deterrence against external threats.

The C-SIPA agreement outlines several principles and areas of cooperation. It emphasizes respect for the independence and sovereignty of both nations and their commitment to international law and the UN Charter. The agreement aims to bolster regional security, stability, and prosperity by improving defense integration and interoperability.

In the realm of defense and security cooperation, the agreement outlines a shared commitment to deterring and confronting external aggression against any of the parties. It establishes protocols for information sharing, intelligence capacity-building, and joint planning in response to external threats. The agreement also includes provisions for training and military education programs, the provision of defense articles and services, combined military maneuvers, and other mutually agreed-upon cooperation.

Additionally, the C-SIPA agreement addresses economic, commercial, and trade cooperation. Both countries agreed to deepen their economic partnership, identify strategic investment opportunities, and develop projects that enhance bilateral and multilateral economic and trade cooperation. This includes a focus on supply chain resilience, infrastructure development, and encouraging investments in these areas.

The agreement also recognizes the importance of scientific and technological cooperation in advancing regional stability and prosperity. It promotes partnerships and collaborations that foster innovation, information exchange, and the strengthening of scientific and technological capabilities. Additionally, it addresses the development and deployment of trusted technologies, particularly in digital and ICT infrastructure supply chains, to support secure and resilient global telecommunications networks.

The US-Bahrain defense cooperation agreement, exemplified by the C-SIPA, underscores the strong ties and strategic partnership between the two nations. It reflects a shared commitment to regional security, stability, and economic cooperation, with a particular focus on deterring external threats and enhancing interoperability between their armed forces.

The US and Bahrain have a Free Trade Agreement

The United States and Bahrain have enjoyed strong diplomatic relations since the latter gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1971. The US-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which came into force in 2006, has further solidified this relationship, generating additional commercial opportunities for both countries.

The FTA has had a significant impact on trade between the two countries. On the first day of the agreement, 100% of two-way trade in industrial and consumer products between the US and Bahrain began flowing without tariffs. This has resulted in increased exports for US farmers and created jobs for American agricultural workers. Bahrain, too, has benefited from enhanced economic opportunities, particularly in the services market, which has opened wider than ever before. This has created important new openings for US financial service providers and companies offering telecommunications, audiovisual, express delivery, distribution, healthcare, architecture, and engineering services.

The US-Bahrain FTA has also supported Bahrain's economic and political reforms and strengthened commercial relations with a leader in the Arabian Gulf. The agreement is overseen by the United States-Bahrain Joint Committee (JC), which is chaired by the Office of the US Trade Representative and Bahrain's Ministry of Industry and Commerce. The JC meets regularly to discuss trade issues and ensure effective implementation of the FTA, including through targeted technical assistance and trade initiatives.

In addition to the FTA, Bahrain and the United States have a long history of security cooperation. Bahrain has been designated a Major Non-NATO Ally by the United States and plays a key role in regional security initiatives. It hosts the US Navy's Fifth Fleet and participates in US-led military coalitions, including the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS. Bahrain's security forces have also contributed to international efforts, such as the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan.

The US-Bahrain relationship extends beyond politics and security. The American community in Bahrain has its origins in the late 19th century with the arrival of missionaries from the Dutch Reformed Church. The American Mission Hospital and a school established by these missionaries continue to operate in the country today.

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