A Fractured Bahrain: Implications And Fallout Of A Broken Country

Bahrain is an island country in West Asia situated on the Persian Gulf. It is officially known as the Kingdom of Bahrain and recognised by the World Bank as a high-income economy. The country has a rich history, having been famed since antiquity for its pearl fisheries and ruled by various empires, including the Portuguese Empire and Safavid Iran. Today, Bahrain is a semi-constitutional monarchy with a diverse economy, including banking, tourism, and petroleum production. With a population of over 1.5 million people, Bahrain is known for its tolerance and cultural sites, making it a popular tourist destination.

The country's ruling Sunni Muslim Al Khalifa royal family has been criticised for violating the human rights of dissidents, political opposition figures, and the Shia Muslim majority

The ruling Sunni Muslim Al Khalifa royal family has a long history in Bahrain, dating back to the 18th century. In 1783, the Al Khalifa dynasty gained control of Bahrain, and since then, the country has been ruled by this family.

However, their rule has not been without controversy, particularly regarding human rights violations. The Al Khalifa family has been criticised for violating the human rights of dissidents, political opposition figures, and the Shia Muslim majority. This criticism intensified during the 2011 Bahraini uprising, when the government responded brutally to protests, with a crackdown that included violations of human rights.

During the 2011 protests, demonstrators demanded that Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the current king and head of the Al Khalifa family, step down. This uprising was inspired by the Arab Spring and coordinated through social media, with a Facebook page named "Day of Rage in Bahrain" gaining tens of thousands of likes within a week.

The crackdown on these protests led to international condemnation. Foreign Policy Magazine ranked Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa third out of eight in a list of "America's Unsavory Allies," calling him "one of the bad guys the U.S. still supports." Amnesty International also criticised the Bahraini government, stating that a decade after the 2011 uprising, "systemic injustice has intensified," and the country has seen a "shut [ting] of any space for the peaceful exercise of the right to freedom of expression or peaceful activism."

The Al Khalifa family's response to the 2011 protests included conducting thousands of arrests and systematically torturing detainees. This resulted in almost daily clashes between protesters and security forces, leading to dozens of deaths. The Bahraini government's actions during this time have been described as a bloody crackdown and were met with harsh international criticism.

The Al Khalifa family's rule has been characterised by tensions between the Sunni rulers and the Shia majority population. During the period 2003-2010, the Shia community accused the government of corruption, discrimination in housing and jobs, recruiting foreigners to the military, and changing the country's demographic composition by bringing Sunni tribes from Asia. While some Shiites have been admitted into government positions, there have been persistent calls for a more equitable distribution of power and resources.

The Al Khalifa family holds a significant number of important positions in Bahrain. In 2010, about half of the cabinet ministers were members of the royal family, and this trend has continued, with four out of 25 serving cabinet ministers being Al Khalifa members as of 2024. The current prime minister, Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, is also from the ruling family and is the king's son.

The Al Khalifa family's dominance in Bahrain extends beyond politics, as they lead a large number of ministerial and governmental posts. They head ministries such as the Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Culture, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Additionally, they hold positions in organisations like the Bahrain Economic Development Board and the Supreme Council for Women.

The vast majority of significant positions in the Bahrain Defence Force are held by Sunnis, further solidifying the Al Khalifa family's control over the country's security apparatus.

Bahrain's economy is heavily reliant on oil exports, which account for 60% of export receipts, 70% of government revenues, and 11% of GDP

Bahrain's economy is heavily reliant on its oil and gas industry, with petroleum being the country's most exported product. Indeed, oil exports account for 60% of export receipts, 70% of government revenues, and 11% of GDP. This makes Bahrain's economy vulnerable to fluctuations in oil prices, as evidenced by the impact of low oil prices since 2014, which have contributed to fiscal deficits and a decline in foreign reserves.

Bahrain has recognised the need to diversify its economy away from oil and has made significant efforts in this direction. The country has invested in the banking and tourism sectors, with the capital, Manama, becoming a hub for financial institutions. Bahrain's banking sector, particularly Islamic banking, has benefited from the regional boom driven by oil demand. Additionally, Bahrain has sought to attract investment in heavy industries, retail, and tourism.

Despite these diversification efforts, oil still plays a dominant role in the country's economy. Bahrain's government revenues continue to be heavily dependent on the oil industry, and low oil prices have impacted the country's credit risk and liquidity situation. The absolute growth in hydrocarbon production has not been sufficient to offset the decline in oil prices, and Bahrain's economy remains closely tied to the oil market.

The importance of the oil and gas sector is further highlighted by its contribution to Bahrain's GDP, accounting for about 19% in recent years. This ratio has decreased from 43.6% in 2000, indicating some progress in economic diversification. However, oil and gas revenues still constituted 75.7% of government revenues in 2016, and exports of refined petroleum products and crude oil accounted for nearly half of total exports.

To summarise, Bahrain's economy is heavily reliant on oil exports, which play a crucial role in government revenues and export earnings. While diversification efforts have been made, the country continues to be vulnerable to fluctuations in the oil market, and the oil and gas sector remains a significant contributor to its economy.

Bahrain's population is ethnically diverse, with Shia Bahrainis divided into Baharna and Ajam, and Sunni Bahrainis mainly split into Arabs and Huwala

Bahrain's population is ethnically diverse, with a mix of native Bahraini ethnic groups and foreign-born inhabitants. Shia Bahrainis are divided into two main ethnic groups: the Baharna and the Ajam. The Baharna are the descendants of the original pre-Islamic inhabitants of Bahrain and speak a variety of Arabic known as Bahrani Arabic. They live in Manama, the villages of the main island of Bahrain, and several villages in the islands of Muharraq and Sitra. Palm tree farming and fishing were their traditional economic activities. The Ajam, on the other hand, are ethnic Persian Shias who maintain a distinct culture and language. They have greatly influenced Bahraini culture and tend to identify themselves as Persian Bahrainis or Bahrainis rather than Iranians.

Sunni Bahrainis are mainly split into two groups: the Arabs and the Huwala. The Arabs are descendants of Sunni Arabs from central Arabia, traditionally engaged in pearl diving, trade, and other occupations. They hold most government positions, and the Bahraini monarchy belongs to this group. The Huwala are descendants of Sunni Iranians, some of whom are ethnic Persians, while others are ethnic Sunni Arabs. They used to live in Awadhiya and Hoora but later resettled in Muharraq Island and Riffa.

In addition to these native groups, Bahrain is also home to ethnic Afro-Arabs, Balochis, and people of Indian descent. Foreign-born inhabitants make up more than half of the population and mostly come from Iran, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Britain, and the United States.

Bahrain has a bicameral National Assembly, with the appointed Shura Council exercising de facto veto power over the elected Council of Representatives

Bahrain has a bicameral National Assembly, consisting of two houses: the Council of Representatives (lower house) and the Shura Council or Consultative Council (upper house). The Council of Representatives was established by the 2002 Constitution of Bahrain and consists of forty members elected by universal suffrage for four-year terms. The Shura Council, on the other hand, is composed of forty members appointed directly by the King of Bahrain.

While the Council of Representatives was created by the 2002 Constitution, the first election under this new system was boycotted by several major political parties, including the Shia Islamist Al Wefaq, the country's largest political party. They protested that the Constitution gave too much power to the unelected Shura Council. Indeed, critics argue that the ruling family has used the appointed Shura Council to guarantee veto power over all legislation. All laws, except for "Royal decrees", must be passed by both chambers of the Assembly, giving the Shura Council de facto veto power over the elected Council of Representatives.

The bicameral system in Bahrain has been defended by drawing comparisons to democracies such as the United Kingdom and Canada, which also have an appointed upper chamber and an elected lower chamber. However, it is important to note that in these countries, the government that nominates citizens to the upper chamber is accountable to the members of the lower house, and the upper chamber's veto power is heavily restricted by constitutional and political conventions.

Bahrain's foreign relations are influenced by its military and financial dependence on Saudi Arabia and the UAE, as well as tensions with Iran due to a failed coup attempt in 1981

Bahrain's foreign relations are heavily influenced by its military and financial dependence on Saudi Arabia and the UAE, as well as ongoing tensions with Iran.

Since gaining independence in 1971, Bahrain has generally pursued a policy of close consultation with its neighbouring states, and it works to narrow areas of disagreement. It is a member of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC), which was established in 1981 with five other Persian Gulf states. Bahrain has fully complied with the steps taken by the GCC to coordinate economic development and defence and security planning. For example, in 1994, it concurred with the GCC's decision to drop secondary and tertiary boycotts against Israel. Bahrain also allowed its port and airfields to be used by coalition forces during the Persian Gulf War (1990-91) and has continued to house the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet.

In addition, Bahrain has maintained relatively good relations with the United States, signing a ten-year agreement in 1991, granting American forces access to its facilities. In 2003, U.S. President George W. Bush designated Bahrain as a major non-NATO ally.

However, Bahrain's relations with Iran have been strained since the 1979 Iranian Revolution and the discovery of a planned Iran-sponsored coup in 1981. On December 13, 1981, Bahrain's Interior Ministry announced the arrest of 70 individuals from different countries, accusing them of plotting a coup with the goal of installing a government similar to Iran's. The Bahraini government accused Iran of meddling in its internal affairs and expelled Iranian diplomats from the country. This incident marked the first instance of Bahrain openly accusing Iran of interference.

Despite efforts to improve relations, such as encouraging Bahrain-Iran trade, the relationship between the two countries has continued to be challenging. In 2015, Bahrain recalled its ambassador from Tehran and ordered the Iranian acting chargé d'affaires to leave the country, citing Iranian meddling in its internal affairs. More recently, in 2020, Bahrain agreed to establish full diplomatic relations with Israel, angering Iran, which reacted furiously, accusing Bahrain of being an "accomplice" to the Zionist regime.

Thus, Bahrain's foreign relations are influenced by its military alliances, economic ties, and historical tensions with regional powers, particularly Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Iran.

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