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

Bahrain

City Name

Manama

Bahrain

July 6, 2025

Manama 1:21 am

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A view of the UN Security Council during a meeting to discuss the situation in Middle East at the UN headquarters in New York City, on April 29, 2025.

What Bahrain’s election to UN Security Council means for Mideast diplomacy

The election of new members to the UN Security Council comes ahead of a vote on a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.

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

Latest News

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

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.

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

Sebastian Castelier

In Dubai, reporting on regional business

Jennifer Gnana

Gulf Correspondent

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

Karen Young

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional energy

A road is decorated with the flags of (L-R) the US, the United Arab Emirates, Israel and Bahrain, in the resort city of Netanya in central Israel, on September 13, 2020. - The UAE and Bahrain will sign agreements to recognise Israel, on September 15.
US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are to sign the Abraham accords -- a reference to the common traditions of Islam, Judaism and Christianity -- at a White House ceremony. (Photo by JACK GUEZ / AFP) (Photo by JACK GUEZ/AFP v

Netanyahu excludes Gantz from triumphant trip to Washington

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's crowded Washington entourage included everyone but Defense Minister Benny Gantz and Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkanzi.

United Arab Emirates

(COMBO) This combination of pictures created on February 21, 2020 shows
US President Donald Trump delivers remarks at a Keep America Great rally in Phoenix, Arizona, on February 19, 2020.
Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech during a ceremony in Jerusalem on January 23, 2020 commemorating the people of Leningrad during the Second World War Nazi siege on the city. - President Donald Trump on february 21, 2020 dismissed reported warnings by US intelligence that Russia is meddling in this year's

How a second Trump term could shift Russia’s stance on Syria

Bahrain, UAE peace deals compel Palestinian rethink on strategy.

United Arab Emirates

Netanyahu hails Bahrain-Israel normalization deal

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi thank US President Donald Trump and his team for their engagement in the region and the announcement of an agreement with Bahrain to normalize relations.

United Arab Emirates

US President Donald Trump is joined by (L-R) US Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin, US Vice President Mike Pence, Senior Advisor to the President Jared Kushner and US special representative for Iran, Brian Hook, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on September 11, 2020. - Trump announced Friday a "peace deal" between Israel and Bahrain, which becomes the second Arab country to settle with its former foe in the last few weeks. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP) (Photo by AN

Bahrain will establish ties with Israel, Trump says

Bahrain follows Kosovo and the United Arab Emirates in normalizing ties with Israel.

United Arab Emirates

A picture taken on August 31, 2020, shows a view from the window of the the El Al's flight LY971, which will carry the delegation from Tel Aviv to Abu Dhabi, ahead of landing at the Abu Dhabi airport. - A US-Israeli delegation including White House advisor Jared Kushner took off on a historic first direct commercial flight from Tel Aviv to Abu Dhabi to mark the normalisation of ties between the Jewish state and the UAE. (Photo by NIR ELIAS / POOL / AFP) (Photo by NIR ELIAS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Bahrain to allow Israeli flights to UAE over its airspace

There was speculation that Bahrain would follow the UAE in recognizing Israel, but the country has not signaled a willingness to do so yet.

United Arab Emirates

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks to reporters following a meeting with members of the UN Security Council about Iran's alleged non-compliance with a nuclear deal and calling for the restoration of sanctions against Iran at United Nations headquarters in New York, August 20, 2020. (Photo by MIKE SEGAR / POOL / AFP) (Photo by MIKE SEGAR/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

As Pompeo pushes for Israel deal, Bahrain reaffirms support for two-state solution

Pompeo is trying to persuade Bahrain and other countries in the region to join the United Arab Emirates in recognizing Israel.

United Arab Emirates

MANAMA, BAHRAIN - NOVEMBER 25: Buildings are under construction to accommodate the influx of business as the banking industry continues to grow November 25,2002 in Manama, Bahrain. The country is the home port for the United States Navy's 5th Fleet, the battle group that patrols the Gulf. The kingdom is a crucial link in any war with Iraq. The Navy has had a base there since 1948. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Bahrain to allow private employers to hire foreigners after four-month suspension

Beginning Aug. 9, employers in the private sector can resume hiring workers from abroad.

A Bahraini lawyer, S Mohsin Al-Alawi (R) holds the defence case file for Sheikh Ali Salman, head of the Shiite opposition movement Al-Wefaq, as he leaves the court after the sentence hearing on June 16, 2015, in Manama. A Bahrain court jailed Shiite opposition leader Salman for four years after convicting him of inciting disobedience and hatred in the Sunni-ruled kingdom, a judicial source said. AFP PHOTO / MOHAMMED AL-SHAIKH (Photo credit should read MOHAMMED AL-SHAIKH/AFP via Getty Images)

Bahrain upholds death sentences despite torture claims

Pro-democracy activists Mohammed Ramadhan and Husain Moosa face imminent execution.

GCC faces possible setback with exodus of skilled professionals

The coronavirus pandemic coupled with the oil crisis is pushing foreign workers to exit the Gulf states, perhaps shaping future labor policies.

A man wearing protective gloves checks the app "Be Aware", launched by Bahrain's health authorities to contain the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) by spreading awareness and sharing updates on the situation, at a hotel in Manama, Bahrain, April 19, 2020. Picture taken April 19, 2020. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed - RC278G9BMSM2

Amnesty blasts Bahrain, Kuwait for 'highly invasive' COVID-19 tracing apps

Amnesty International has warned apps used to trace the movements of possible COVID-19 cases in Bahrain, Kuwait and Norway put the privacy of citizens at risk.

Bahrain releases human rights activist Nabeel Rajab from prison

Rajab's release came just days before the four-year anniversary of his arrest.

Workers are seen at the Al Janoub Stadium built for the upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup soccer championship during a stadium tour in Al Wakrah, Qatar, December 16, 2019. REUTERS/Corinna Kern - RC2EWD9VPND9

COVID-19 crisis returns spotlight to Gulf migrant communities

Contract migration schemes make citizenship acquisition nearly impossible for migrant workers in the Gulf, and recent economic and health crises make any imminent changes further unlikely.