Bahrain asks Congress for help in restoring arms sales

Manama's embassy in Washington is circulating a letter in the House and Senate that highlights the Gulf island kingdom's role in the international coalition against the Islamic State (IS) in Iraq and Syria. The letter, which is addressed to Secretary of State John Kerry and Defense Secretary Ashton Carter, also highlights the need for "unity and cohesiveness" amid nuclear talks with Iran that have put the Arab Gulf countries on edge.

"As the pace of the fight against ISIL [IS] picks up and the nuclear talks with Iran proceed, it is critical that we demonstrate unity and cohesiveness among our Coalition partners," says the letter, which was obtained by Al-Monitor. "We believe that lifting the holds placed on the sale of certain military items to Bahrain would send a strong message of support to our allies in the region. We urge the administration to lift the holds placed on items that do not require congressional notification immediately, and to begin to work promptly to resolve those that do."

The letter doesn't detail the types of weapons Bahrain is seeking, but according to a recent Congressional Research Service (CRS) report the items held up include Humvees, rifles, ammunition, tear gas and "other equipment that could be used against protesters." Further items were held up after Manama expelled Assistant Secretary of State Tom Malinowski over his meeting with opposition figures last year, according to The New York Times.

While the letter has been circulating among the House and Senate foreign panels, it has yet to reach many lawmakers' desks. Still, several told Al-Monitor they might consider signing on.