US strengthens ties with Bahrain with new security agreement

(Patria) - The United States signed an agreement with Bahrain on Wednesday to strengthen defense and economic ties, showing support for the Gulf monarchy that faced an arms embargo ten years ago, AFP reported.

Bahrain, which has tense relations with neighboring Iran, is already home to the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet, but the agreement will solidify the relationship both symbolically and by strengthening cooperation, including a commitment to intelligence sharing.

The agreement will allow us to "better identify or respond to threats as they emerge," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said before the signing ceremony with Bahraini Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa.

"The core of the agreement is a shared goal – working together to build a region that is more secure, more prosperous, and more connected to the world," Blinken said.

Called the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement, the deal will also promote scientific exchange, investment opportunities, and work on renewable energy.

In what Blinken cited as a first measure, the agreement will commit the two countries to work together on "trusted technologies," an allusion to avoiding suppliers, often from China, that the United States views as potentially insecure.

The agreement will focus "not only on security and defense, which is essential, but also on the economy, people, and technology, which will be the foundation for a new global architecture," said Prince Khalifa.

Bahrain came under criticism in 2011 when, with the support of the Sunni kingdom of Saudi Arabia, it suppressed an uprising led by the Shiite community demanding a constitutional monarchy and an elected prime minister.

Then-President Barack Obama imposed an arms embargo for four years. Bahrain returned to U.S. favor under former President Donald Trump, who welcomed Bahrain's recognition of Israel.

Blinken said the United States would raise human rights issues with the kingdom with the aim of "ensuring the protection of fundamental freedoms, which contributes to Bahrain's progress."

The government and activists reported on Tuesday the end of a prison hunger strike involving at least 800 inmates that lasted 36 days, following an offer to improve conditions.