Giuliani's Bahrain Interest: What's The Deal?

Rudy Giuliani's interest in Bahrain was brought to light when he accidentally butt-dialled an NBC reporter, Rich Schapiro, and was recorded discussing his business dealings in the country. In the voicemail, Giuliani said, Let's get back to business... I gotta get you to get on Bahrain. He also mentioned that he needed a few hundred thousand dollars.

Giuliani has since met with the King of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, as well as the country's interior minister. However, he has stressed that he was in Bahrain to pursue a consulting contract for his firm, Giuliani Security and Safety, and that he did not make any representations on behalf of the United States.

Bahrain's connection to Rudy Giuliani's business dealings

In 2018, Giuliani travelled to Bahrain for a business meeting with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, where he was referred to as the leader of a "high-level US delegation" by the country's state-run news agency. However, Giuliani clarified that he made no representations on behalf of the United States and that his meeting was set up by Robert Stryk, whose firm facilitates meetings with US administration officials.

Giuliani's business dealings in Bahrain have sparked controversy, with critics accusing him of using his position as former Mayor and personal lawyer to Donald Trump to further his own financial interests. In 2019, Giuliani accidentally left a voicemail for an NBC reporter, Rich Schapiro, in which he discussed his foreign business dealings and his need for cash, saying, "Let's get back to business... I gotta get you to get on Bahrain."

Giuliani's activities in Bahrain, as well as other countries, have drawn scrutiny over potential violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). His consulting work has also been criticised for potentially influencing US foreign policy and for his association with controversial figures.

Bahrain's role in the Trump-Ukraine scandal

In the voicemail, Giuliani said, "Let's get back to business... I gotta get you to get on Bahrain," and "The problem is we need some money, and we need a few hundred thousand." This was in reference to his business dealings in the Middle Eastern nation.

In September 2020, President Trump announced that Bahrain would establish full diplomatic relations with Israel, following the United Arab Emirates, in another sign of shifting Middle East dynamics that were bringing Arab nations closer to Israel. This was the second such breakthrough in recent weeks, as the administration worked to broker cooperation between Arab nations and Israel.

The deal, which isolated the Palestinians, came as Trump tried to position himself as a peacemaker before the 2020 elections in November. Bahrain's move was not unexpected, as the tiny Persian Gulf kingdom was widely seen as the low-hanging fruit to be picked if all went well in the aftermath of the Emiratis' announcement.

Giuliani's business dealings in Bahrain, and his role in the normalisation of relations between Israel and Bahrain, were both part of the wider Trump-Ukraine scandal, which ultimately led to Trump's impeachment.

Bahrain's relationship with the US

Bahrain and the United States have been allies since Bahrain's independence from the United Kingdom in 1971. The US Navy has had a base in Bahrain since 1947, when the country was still a British colony. The US-Bahrain relationship was formalised in 1971, with the establishment of diplomatic relations and the opening of the US Embassy in Manama. A resident ambassador was sent in 1974, and the Bahraini Embassy in Washington, D.C., opened in 1977.

Bahrain is a vital US partner in defence initiatives and plays a key role in the region's security architecture. The country 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. In 2002, the US designated Bahrain a Major Non-NATO Ally.

In 2004, the two countries signed a free trade agreement, which came into force in 2006, generating additional commercial opportunities for both nations. In 2021, two-way trade exceeded $2 billion.

In 2023, the US and Bahrain signed a strategic security and economic agreement to expand defence and intelligence collaboration. The agreement was described by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken as a way to "build a region that is more secure, more prosperous, and that's more connected to the world economy".

In addition to diplomatic and economic ties, the US and Bahrain also have a history of cultural exchange. American missionaries from the Dutch Reformed Church arrived in Bahrain in the late 19th century, establishing the American Mission Hospital and a school, both of which continue to operate today.

Bahrain's history

Bahrain has a rich history, with roots dating back to ancient times. Here is a brief overview of the country's history, focusing on the topics mentioned in your prompt:

Ancient History

Bahrain, officially known as the Kingdom of Bahrain, is an island country in West Asia, situated in the Persian Gulf. The name "Bahrain" is derived from the Arabic word "Bahr", meaning "sea", and refers to the country's location between the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Peninsula. The country has a long and fascinating history, with evidence of human settlement dating back thousands of years.

One of the earliest known civilizations in Bahrain was the Dilmun civilization, which flourished during the Bronze Age. Bahrain was a central site for this civilization, and it is mentioned in ancient Sumerian cuneiform clay tablets from the 4th millennium BC. Dilmun was a major trading centre, connecting Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley civilization.

Medieval Period

During the medieval period, Bahrain was influenced by various empires and dynasties, including the Persians, Sumerians, Assyrians, Babylonians, and Portuguese. In the 7th century AD, Bahrain became one of the earliest areas to be influenced by Islam, during the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad.

Portuguese Rule and Persian Influence

In the 16th century, Bahrain came under Portuguese rule, which lasted until 1602 when they were expelled by Shah Abbas the Great of Safavid Iran. This marked a period of Persian influence in the region, with various Iranian dynasties, such as the Safavid, Afsharid, and Qajar dynasties, ruling over Bahrain at different times.

Al Khalifa Rule

In 1783, the Bani Utbah tribe, along with allied tribes, captured Bahrain from the ruling Al-Madhkur dynasty. This marked the beginning of the Al Khalifa dynasty's rule over Bahrain, which continues to the present day. The Al Khalifa family has played a significant role in shaping Bahrain's history and development.

British Protectorate

In the 19th century, Bahrain became a protectorate of the British Empire, which had established dominance in the region. This period saw the signing of several treaties between Bahrain and Britain, solidifying their relationship. During this time, Bahrain also experienced economic growth, particularly in the pearl fisheries and trade.

Independence and Modern Era

Bahrain gained its independence from Britain in 1971 and became a fully independent sovereign state. Since then, Bahrain has undergone political reforms, including the introduction of a semi-constitutional monarchy and the adoption of a constitution. The country has also faced challenges, such as the 2011 Bahraini uprising, inspired by the Arab Spring.

Today, Bahrain is a small but diverse country, with a rich cultural and historical heritage. It has a growing economy, with a focus on sectors like banking and tourism, and continues to play a significant role in the region.

Bahrain's geography and economy

Bahrain's Geography

The Kingdom of Bahrain is an archipelago in the Persian Gulf, consisting of Bahrain Island and 33 smaller islands. The islands lie in the Gulf of Bahrain, off the north shore of the Arabian Peninsula in West Asia. The total area of the country is about 694 square kilometres, and its capital city is Manama. Bahrain is surrounded by some of the Middle East's large petroleum fields and commands a strategic position in the Persian Gulf's shipping lanes.

The landscape of Bahrain is mostly low-lying and barren desert, with outcroppings of limestone forming hills, cliffs, and ravines. The limestone is covered by saline sand, capable of supporting only the most hardy desert vegetation, such as thorn trees and scrub. There is a fertile strip along the northern coast where date, almond, fig, and pomegranate trees grow. The interior of the island contains an escarpment that rises to form Jabal al Dukhan, the highest point on the island. Most of the country's oil wells are located here.

Bahrain has an arid climate, with two distinct seasons: an extremely hot summer and a relatively mild winter. During the summer, temperatures average 40°C and can reach 46°C. The combination of intense heat and high humidity makes this season very uncomfortable. Winters are cooler, with temperatures ranging from 10°C to 20°C, but humidity often rises above 90%. Bahrain receives little precipitation, with the average annual rainfall being 72 millimetres, usually confined to the winter months.

Bahrain's Economy

Bahrain's economy is heavily dependent on oil and gas, with petroleum being the country's most exported product. However, Bahrain has only small stores of petroleum and has instead focused on processing crude oil from neighbouring countries. The country has also invested heavily in the banking and tourism sectors, with the capital, Manama, being home to many large financial institutions. Bahrain's finance industry is very successful, and the country was named the world's fastest-growing financial centre in 2008.

In recent years, Bahrain has sought to diversify its economy away from its limited oil supplies. The country has expanded into banking, heavy industries, retail, and tourism. Bahrain is now the main banking hub for the Persian Gulf and a centre for Islamic finance.

Despite these diversification efforts, oil still comprises 85% of Bahraini budget revenues. Lower world energy prices have generated sizeable budget deficits, amounting to about 10% of GDP in 2017. Bahrain has a high-income economy and is considered one of the richest countries in the Middle East and North Africa region.

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