Us Aid To Bahrain: Impact And Implications

Bahrain and the United States have been allies since Bahrain's independence in 1971, with the US Navy's Fifth Fleet based in the Gulf state. The US has supported Bahrain's security forces and defence initiatives, and the two countries have a free trade agreement. However, the US has been criticised for its response to the suppression of the Bahraini uprising in 2011, with some arguing that America's interests in the region took precedence over its values. The US-Bahrain relationship has continued to strengthen, with a new strategic pact signed in 2023, but what would happen if the US were to increase its support for Bahrain?

The US and Bahrain have a history of military cooperation

In 1991, the US signed an agreement giving the Department of Defense access to facilities on the island. Bahrain is home to the US Navy's Fifth Fleet and US Naval Forces Central Command. Bahrain also participates in US-led military coalitions, including the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS. Bahrain's security forces have 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 by deploying 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 has also provided Bahrain with millions of dollars in Foreign Military Financing and DoD military grant assistance to supply Bahrain with the equipment and training it needs to defend itself and operate effectively alongside US air and naval forces.

In September 2023, the US and Bahrain signed a Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement, strengthening the coordination between their armed forces and the integration of their intelligence capacities. This agreement was a legally binding pact in which the US committed to consulting and providing assistance if Bahrain faced an imminent security threat.

Bahrain hosts the US Navy's Fifth Fleet

Bahrain's relationship with the United States has been a close one since the US opened an embassy in Manama in 1971, following Bahrain's independence from the United Kingdom. Bahrain hosts the US Navy's Fifth Fleet and U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, which encompasses approximately 2.5 million square miles, including the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and parts of the Indian Ocean. The Fifth Fleet was first established during World War II in 1944 and was reactivated in 1995 after a 48-year hiatus.

Bahrain's hosting of the Fifth Fleet has been a significant source of tension with Iran, which lies just across the Persian Gulf from Bahrain. The US-Bahrain relationship has been further strengthened by Bahrain's participation in US-led military coalitions, such as the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, and its support for the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. Bahrain was also the first Arab state to lead a Coalition Task Force patrolling the Gulf region.

The US has recognised the importance of Bahrain as a strategic partner, with a senior US diplomat, Adam Ereli, stating that:

> None of the other Gulf Cooperation Council countries offers a similar combination of strategic significance and political compatibility. Strategically, Bahrain is the central node of the international maritime presence securing the world’s most important choke points.

In 2023, Bahrain and the US signed a strategic cooperation agreement, in which the US committed to providing assistance if Bahrain faced an imminent security threat. This agreement was a significant step in strengthening the relationship between the two countries and set a precedent for future agreements with other regional powers.

The US has committed to providing security assistance to Bahrain

The United States has long been a strategic partner of Bahrain, with diplomatic relations established in 1971. Bahrain is a Major Non-NATO Ally and a Major Security Partner, hosting the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet and U.S. Naval Forces Central Command. The U.S. has committed to providing security assistance to Bahrain through various initiatives, including the recent "Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement" (C-SIPA). This agreement outlines enhanced cooperation in defence, security, science, technology, and trade.

Under C-SIPA, the U.S. has pledged to strengthen deterrence through expanded defence and security cooperation, interoperability, and mutual intelligence capacity-building. This includes integrating air and missile defence systems and increasing maritime domain awareness. The agreement also promotes cooperation on trade and investment, building on the existing U.S.-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement. Additionally, it encourages investments in global supply chain resilience and infrastructure, as well as the development and deployment of trusted technologies to support secure telecommunications networks.

The U.S. has provided significant security assistance to Bahrain in the past as well. Since 2014, the U.S. has supplied Bahrain with military equipment and training through Foreign Military Financing and DoD military grant assistance. This assistance has improved Bahrain's interoperability with U.S. forces, enhanced its maritime defences against smuggling and terrorism, and bolstered its counter-terrorism capabilities while respecting human rights obligations. The U.S. has also provided International Military Education and Training (IMET) to Bahraini security officials, fostering lasting relationships and enhancing interoperability.

The security cooperation between the U.S. and Bahrain extends beyond C-SIPA and military assistance. Bahrain has participated in U.S.-led military coalitions, including the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, and supported the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. Bahrain was also the first Gulf country to receive F-16s and has committed to partnering with the U.S. on integrating unmanned systems and artificial intelligence. Additionally, Bahrain and the U.S. conduct joint military exercises with a focus on maritime domain awareness and command and control capabilities.

The U.S. commitment to providing security assistance to Bahrain is evident through these multifaceted initiatives. By strengthening their strategic partnership, the U.S. and Bahrain aim to promote stability and prosperity in the region while addressing shared security concerns.

The US and Bahrain have a Free Trade Agreement

The United States and Bahrain have a strong relationship, with the US designating Bahrain as a Major Non-NATO Ally in 2002. This relationship is underpinned by the US-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which came into force in 2006.

The FTA has generated significant export opportunities for the United States, creating jobs for US farmers and workers. The agreement has also supported Bahrain's economic and political reforms and improved commercial relations between the two countries. On the first day of the agreement, 100% of the two-way trade in industrial and consumer products was free of tariffs. As a result, US farmers have significantly increased their agricultural exports to Bahrain.

In addition, Bahrain has opened its services market wider than any previous FTA partner, creating new opportunities for US companies in various sectors, including financial services, telecommunications, audiovisual, healthcare, and engineering. The FTA also promotes economic reforms and liberalization in the Middle East, with the United States-Bahrain Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) covering investment issues between the two countries.

The central oversight body for the FTA is the United States-Bahrain Joint Committee (JC), chaired by the Office of the US Trade Representative and Bahrain's Ministry of Industry and Commerce. The JC discusses a broad range of trade issues and works to ensure effective implementation of the FTA, including customs-related aspects and initiatives to monitor compliance with labor and environmental obligations.

The US-Bahrain FTA has strengthened the economic and commercial ties between the two countries, creating new opportunities for businesses and individuals in both nations. It has also played a role in advancing Bahrain's economic reforms and enhancing its position as a key economic leader in the Arabian Gulf.

Bahrain is a Major non-NATO ally of the US

The US-Bahrain relationship is significant in the context of regional security and defence initiatives. Bahrain has supported the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan and was the first Arab state to lead a Coalition Task Force patrolling the Gulf region. Additionally, Bahrain has been an active participant in counter-piracy missions and joined the US-led International Maritime Security Construct in 2019 to promote freedom of navigation in the region.

The US has also benefited economically from its relationship with Bahrain. In 2021, two-way trade between the two countries exceeded $2 billion, with US exports to Bahrain including aircraft, machinery, and motor vehicles. Bahrain's economy, while still dependent on oil and gas, has been diversifying, and the country offers a climate that attracts foreign investment and businesses.

The US-Bahrain partnership extends beyond economic and defence matters. Bahrain has an elected lower house of parliament, and the United States supports Bahrain's efforts to strengthen its parliamentary institutional capacity and encourages transparent and inclusive governance.

The US-Bahrain relationship is further solidified by their shared history. The American community in Bahrain dates back to the arrival of missionaries from the Dutch Reformed Church in the late 19th century, and the American Mission Hospital and a school established in 1903 continue to operate in the country.

In summary, Bahrain's status as a Major non-NATO ally of the US signifies a strong and strategic relationship between the two countries, encompassing defence, economic, and political cooperation.

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