After Saudi Arabia and the UAE, Bahrain Is Thawing Ties With Iran

After Saudi Arabia and the UAE, Bahrain Is Thawing Ties With Iran
Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa speaks during the opening ceremony of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum, in Beijing, China, May 30, 2024 (VCG photo via AP Images).

Bahrain has seen significant internal and diplomatic developments in recent months, indicating far-reaching changes in long-held policies. These include the release of unprecedented numbers of prisoners, including many considered to be political prisoners; steps toward resuming relations with Iran; and closer relations with Russia and China.

The changes seem to be driven by the desire to alleviate domestic sectarian tensions, as well as to align Bahrain’s policies with those of the other Gulf Cooperation Council states on both Iran and a “multi-alignment” strategy more generally, while preserving critical security relations with the U.S. and Israel.

But while the moves represent a notable shift in the country’s domestic and international orientation, they also remain vulnerable to tensions that could make them a hard balance to maintain.

Keep reading for free

Already a subscriber? Log in here .

Get instant access to the rest of this article by creating a free account below. You'll also get access to three articles of your choice each month and our free newsletter:
Subscribe for an All-Access subscription to World Politics Review
  • Immediate and instant access to the full searchable library of tens of thousands of articles.
  • Daily articles with original analysis, written by leading topic experts, delivered to you every weekday.
  • The Daily Review email, with our take on the day’s most important news, the latest WPR analysis, what’s on our radar, and more.