Bahrain: Reform, Security, and U.S. Policy

Underlying the unrest are lingering Bahraini government fears that Iran is supporting Shiite opposition movements, possibly in an effort to install a Shiite led, pro-Iranian government on the island. These fears are occasionally reinforced by comments from Iranian editorialists and political leaders that Bahrain should never have become formally independent of Iran. However, Bahrain has few security options other than relying on a tacit U.S. security umbrella. Bahrain has tried to place itself under a U.S. security umbrella by hosting U.S. naval headquarters for the Gulf for over 60 years. The United States has designated Bahrain as a "Major Non-NATO Ally," and it provides small amounts of security assistance to Bahrain. However, because a U.S. security commitment is not formal or explicit, Bahrain's rulers have sought to accommodate Iran's power and interests, in part by signing energy agreements with Iran and by allowing Iranian banks and businesses to operate there. On other regional issues such as post-Saddam Iraq, or the Arab-Israeli dispute, Bahrain has tended to defer to Saudi Arabia or other powers to take the lead in formulating proposals or representing the position of the Persian Gulf states, collectively. In September 2004, the United States and Bahrain signed a free trade agreement (FTA); legislation implementing it was signed January 11, 2006 (P.L. 109-169).


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