Us Military Presence In Bahrain: Where And Why?

Bahrain is an island country in the Persian Gulf, situated between Qatar and Saudi Arabia. It is officially known as the Kingdom of Bahrain and consists of a small archipelago of 50 natural islands and 33 artificial islands. The country spans 760 square kilometres and has a population of around 1.5 million people, with the capital and largest city, Manama, located on Bahrain Island. Bahrain is known for its pearl fisheries, which were considered the best in the world until the 19th century.

The US established diplomatic relations with Bahrain in 1971 following its independence from the United Kingdom. The US Embassy in Manama was opened in 1971, and a resident ambassador was sent in 1974. Bahrain is strategically important to the US, with the US Navy's Fifth Fleet hosted in the country.

Diplomatic relations between the US and Bahrain were established in 1971

Bahrain is an island country in West Asia, situated on the Persian Gulf. It is a small archipelago made up of 50 natural islands and 33 artificial islands, centred on Bahrain Island. The capital and largest city is Manama. Bahrain is recognised by the World Bank as a high-income economy.

The American community in Bahrain can be traced back to the arrival of missionaries from the Dutch Reformed Church in the late 19th century. The American Mission Hospital and the school they established in 1903 continue to operate in Bahrain.

The US-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement (FTA) entered into force in 2006, generating additional commercial opportunities for both countries. In 2021, two-way trade exceeded $2 billion, up from $1.5 billion in 2020. Over 200 US businesses have a presence in Bahrain, including some of the world's leading organisations.

Bahrain plays a key role in the region's security architecture and is a vital US partner in defence initiatives. Bahrain 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 2001, the US designated Bahrain a Major non-NATO Ally.

In 2002, Bahrain was declared a semi-constitutional monarchy, and Sharia was made a principal source for legislation. Bahrain has an elected lower house of parliament, the Council of Representatives (COR), and an appointed upper house, the Shura Council.

The US Embassy in Manama, Bahrain, was opened in 1971

The US Embassy in Manama, Bahrain, was opened on September 21, 1971, following the country's independence from the United Kingdom. The opening of the embassy established diplomatic relations between the two nations.

Manama is the capital and largest city of Bahrain, which is an island country in West Asia situated on the Persian Gulf. Bahrain spans around 760 square kilometres and is the third-smallest nation in Asia. The US Embassy in Manama is located in the Zinj area of the city.

The US has a strong relationship with Bahrain, which plays a key role in the Gulf's security architecture and is an important member of the US-led anti-ISIL coalition. The Bahraini Embassy in Washington, DC, opened in 1977, and the countries signed a free trade agreement in 2004. Bahrain is also one of the founding members of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

The current US Ambassador to Bahrain is Steven C. Bondy, who was nominated by President Biden and confirmed by the Senate in 2021.

The US has two military bases in Bahrain

NSA Bahrain is situated on the original territory of the British Royal Navy base known as HMS Juffair. The US Navy established a presence on the site during World War II, and in 1971, the base was transferred to the US government following Bahrain's independence from the United Kingdom. Today, NSA Bahrain provides support through logistical, supply, and protection as well as a Navy Exchange facility and Morale, Welfare and Recreation programs to both United States Armed Forces and coalition assets. It is home to the US Navy's Fifth Fleet and US Naval Forces Central Command.

NRCC Bahrain is headquartered in Naples, Italy, with its detachment in Bahrain being established under the authority, laws, and regulations of Bahrain. The location of the base in Bahrain was chosen due to its strategic importance in the Arabian world.

Bahrain is a major non-NATO ally of the US

Bahrain is an island country in West Asia situated in the Persian Gulf. It is a small archipelago consisting of 50 natural islands and 33 artificial islands, with Bahrain Island making up around 83% of the country's landmass. Bahrain is strategically located between Qatar and Saudi Arabia's northeastern coast and is connected to the latter by the King Fahd Causeway. The country has a population of approximately 1.5 million people as of May 2023, with 712,362 being Bahraini nationals.

Bahrain has a significant strategic and security partnership with the United States, which recognised it as a Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) in 2002. This status underscores the strong ties of friendship and close cooperation between the two nations. The MNNA designation provides Bahrain with access to various benefits typically reserved for North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allied states. These benefits include potential participation in cooperative research and development, priority access to surplus defence equipment, and cooperative training.

The United States and Bahrain have a long history of diplomatic relations, which were established in 1971 after Bahrain gained independence from the United Kingdom. The US embassy in Manama, Bahrain's capital, was opened in September 1971, and a resident ambassador was sent in 1974. The Bahraini Embassy in Washington, DC, followed suit in 1977. Additionally, the American Mission Hospital has been operating continuously in Bahrain for over a century.

Bahrain is an important member of the US-led anti-ISIL coalition and plays a pivotal role in the Gulf's security architecture. US assistance enables Bahrain to obtain essential defence equipment and training, allowing it to operate alongside US air and naval forces. This assistance also strengthens Bahrain's interoperability for regional security and counterterrorism cooperation, boosts maritime defences, and improves its ability to deny terrorist sponsorship and support.

Bilateral economic relations between the two countries have also flourished. The US-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement, which came into effect in 2006, has generated increased US commercial interest in Bahrain. In 2019, bilateral merchandise trade reached $2.45 billion, with an additional $1.5 billion in trade services. US exports to Bahrain include aircraft, machinery, and motor vehicles, while leading imports from Bahrain include aluminium, oil, textiles, and plastics.

Bahrain's recognition as a Major Non-NATO Ally of the US underscores the strong and strategic nature of their relationship, with the two countries working closely together on security, defence, and economic matters.

The US Navy's Fifth Fleet is based in Bahrain

The US Navy's Fifth Fleet is based in Juffair, Bahrain, where it has been since the early 1990s. The US has had a naval presence in Bahrain since 1948. The Fifth Fleet shares a commander and headquarters with US Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) and is a component command of, and reports to, US Central Command (CENTCOM).

The Fifth Fleet's area of responsibility covers around 2.5 million square miles, including the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and parts of the Indian Ocean. The fleet was first established during World War II in 1944 and played a significant role in defeating Japanese forces in the Central Pacific. After the war, the fleet was deactivated until 1995, when it was reactivated and has since been crucial in projecting US naval power in the Middle East and contributing to the Global War on Terrorism.

Bahrain is an island country in West Asia situated in the Persian Gulf. It comprises around 50 natural islands and 33 artificial islands, with Bahrain Island making up about 83% of the country's landmass. Bahrain is strategically located between Qatar and Saudi Arabia, with a population of over 1.5 million as of 2023.

The US established diplomatic relations with Bahrain in 1971 after its independence from the United Kingdom. Bahrain is an important ally in the region, playing a key role in the Gulf's security architecture and participating in the US-led anti-ISIL coalition. The two countries have a strong bilateral economic relationship, with a free trade agreement in effect since 2006. Bahrain has diversified its economy beyond oil and gas production, attracting foreign investment and businesses.

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