Bahrain - AL-Monitor: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Bahrain

City Name

Manama

Bahrain

April 19, 2025

Manama 1:06 pm

27°C

UNSC

Bahrain to bid for UN Security Council seat: What to know

If its candidacy is successful, it would allow the Arab world's smallest nation to have a significant say in critical decisions impacting the Middle East, particularly the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

This handout screen grab captured from a video shows Houthi fighters' takeover of the Galaxy Leader Cargo on the Red Sea coast off Hudaydah, Yemen, Nov. 20, 2023.

Analysis

Wary of Houthis, Gulf states fear blowback of US escalation in Yemen

The Houthis' identification with the Gaza conflict has also made it complicated for Gulf states to participate in operations against the group.

Jennifer Gnana

By Jennifer Gnana

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

OMAR HAJ KADOUR/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

From BRICS to dwindling oil revenues, 2024 was mixed year for Gulf

The ongoing conflict in Gaza, big international investment deals, low oil revenue and increased curtailing of democratic rights dominated Gulf politics and economy in 2024

Jennifer Gnana

By Jennifer Gnana

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

People chant slogans and wave flags in celebration after performing the first Friday prayer since the fall of the Assad regime at the Umayyad Mosque on Dec. 13, 2024 in Damascus, Syria.

Gulf states reach out to new Syrian leaders ahead of Jordan talks: What we know

Bahrain's King Hamad sent a letter to HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, while the UAE has held direct contact with opposition groups. Qatar is set to reopen embassy in Damascus soon.

Latest News

Bahrain announces UK inclusion in key security pact with US

A US Navy Martin UAV drone flies over the Gulf waters as Royal Bahrain Naval Force (RBNF) Abdulrahman Al Fadhel takes part in joint naval exercise between US 5th Fleet Command and Bahraini forces, on October 26, 2021. - The US and Bahrain navies conducted a joint exercise at sea, launching a series of drills integrating unmanned systems into regional maritime operations. (Photo by Mazen Mahdi / AFP) (Photo by MAZEN MAHDI/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Beyond congratulations, Trump faces changed, eastward-looking Gulf

US President Donald Trump (L) speaks with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (C) as Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (R), Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (2nd R) and Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May smile during a family photo session at the G20 Summit in Osaka on June 28, 2019. (Photo by KIM KYUNG-HOON / POOL / AFP) (Photo credit should read KIM KYUNG-HOON/AFP via Getty Images)

Jennifer Gnana

By Jennifer Gnana

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

Analysis

US lawmakers act to boost Israel-Arab military coordination to counter Iran

An exterior view of the US Capitol on September 9, 2024 in Washington, DC.

Megan Mineiro

By Megan Mineiro

In Washington, DC, reporting on US Congress

Middle East airlines alter, axe flights following Iran missile attack on Israel

A Middle East Airlines commercial aircraft taking off from Beirut's international airport flies amid smoke billowing above the Lebanese capital's southern suburbs, in the aftermath of overnight Israeli airstrikes, on Sept. 28,2024.

Jennifer Gnana

Gulf Correspondent

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

Sebastian Castelier

In Dubai, reporting on regional business

Karen Young

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional energy

WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 17: The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine being prepared prior to a vaccine event at Kaiser Permanente Capitol Hill Medical Center on December 17, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Shawn Thew-Pool/Getty Images)

Bahrain's king receives COVID-19 vaccine

King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa was vaccinated days after Bahrain approved use of the Chinese Sinopharm vaccine.

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 06: The U.S. Department of State is seen on January 6, 2020 in Washington, DC. Tensions are high in the middle-east after a U.S. air strike in Iraq killed Qassem Soleimani, a top Iranian military leader. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

US designates Bahraini terror group linked to Iran

The outgoing US administration is continuing to pressure Iran and its allies in its final weeks in office.

Bahraini minister comments on Israeli settlements products label controversy

Commerce Minister Zayed bin Rashid al-Zayani said Bahrain "has no issue with labeling or origin" of Israeli products during a visit to Israel, which angered Palestinian officials.

(L to R) US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Bahrain's Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani give a press conference after their trilateral meeting in Jerusalem on November 18, 2020. (Photo by Menahem KAHANA / POOL / AFP) (Photo by MENAHEM KAHANA/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Israel's Netanyahu planning to visit Bahrain 'soon'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's announcement followed his phone call with Crown Prince Sheikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa on Tuesday.

Israel celebrates first visit of Bahrain foreign minister

Israel and Bahrain's foreign ministers met in Israel today as ties between the two countries warm at a rapid pace.

This picture taken December 12, 2019 shows (L) a view of the exchange board at the Stock Exchange Market (Tadawul) bourse in Riyadh displaying Aramco shares on the second day of their trading, along with a poster depicting Saudi Arabia's founder King Abdulaziz ibn Saud (C), his son and current King Salman bin Abdulaziz (R), and the latter's son Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (L) on display. - Energy giant Saudi Aramco's market value soared above $2 trillion as its share price surged again on its second da

Gulf oil exporters look past Biden’s green energy platform

The possible return of Iranian crude to global markets is a short-term concern for Gulf oil producers, which expect to be the last man standing in a decarbonizing world.

Bahraini Crown Prince, Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, looks on next to US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (unseen) during a meeting at the US Department of State in Washington, DC on September 17, 2019. (Photo by Andrew CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP) (Photo credit should read ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

Bahrain appoints crown prince as new prime minister

Sheikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa will immediately take over as premier, the state news agency reported.

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 22: Travellers exit via the International Arrival gate at Heathrow Airport Terminal 2 on August 22, 2020 in London, England. As of Saturday morning at 4am, travellers arriving in England from Austria, Croatia, and Trinidad and Tobago were required to quarantine themselves for 14 days. At the same time, travellers from Portugal were no longer required to quarantine. (Photo by Hollie Adams/Getty Images)

UK opens 'travel corridor' to Gulf states

Visitors to the United Kingdom from Bahrain, Qatar and the UAE will not need to isolate upon arrival come Saturday.

United Arab Emirates

Street billboards mourning the death of Bahraini Prime Minister, Prince Khalifa bin Salman al-Khalifa, line a highway in the capital Manama, on November 11, 2020. - Bahrain's Prince Khalifa bin Salman al-Khalifa, the world's longest-serving prime minister who had held the post since independence in 1971, died at the age of 84, state media announced. (Photo by Mazen Mahdi / AFP) (Photo by MAZEN MAHDI/AFP via Getty Images)

Bahrain's longtime prime minister dies at 84

Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa was among the world's longest-serving prime ministers.

A picture taken on June 25, 2019, shows the Bahraini capital Manama skyline. - Co-host the United States is holding out the prospect of $50 billion of investment to the Palestinians and their neighbours, but the Palestinian Authority is boycotting the conference, believing that the United States and Israel are trying to buy them off and impose political solutions. (Photo by STR / AFP) (Photo credit should read STR/AFP via Getty Images)

Bahrain sentences 51 accused of Iran-linked terror plots

Investigators said the defendants received orders from Iran's powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to stage attacks in Bahrain.

A picture shows the Manama's repurposed convention centre, in which 6,000 people are participating in a large-scale trial of a Chinese-sponsored vaccine for the Covid-19 coronavirus, on August 27, 2020 in the Bahraini capital. - Chinese drug giant Sinopharm began testing the inactivated COVID-19 jab in Bahrain earlier this month after starting a similar trial on 15,000 subjects in the nearby United Arab Emirates in July. The current phase of the study, in which the vaccine's efficacy and safety is tested in

Bahrain approves Chinese COVID-19 vaccine for front-line workers

The experimental vaccine is currently in phase III clinical trials.

Pentagon chief visits Israel, Bahrain with little fanfare

The quiet visit came less than a week after the defense secretary said the United States would like to see regional security cooperation with Israel to deter Iran.