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U.S. and Bahrain reaffirm security and economic cooperation at fifth Strategic Dialogue in Manama

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Key takeaways

  • The fifth U.S.-Bahrain Strategic Dialogue took place January 26, 2026, in Manama, led by U.S. Under Secretary Allison Hooker and Bahraini Acting Under Secretary Shaikh Abdulla bin Ali Al Khalifa.
  • Participants highlighted advances under the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement (C-SIPA) and reviewed progress on the Enhanced Border Security Agreement signed in September 2025.
  • Bahrain was congratulated for its non‑permanent membership on the U.N. Security Council for 2026–2027 and for joining the Board of Peace as a Founding Member to support the Gaza Peace Plan.
  • In July 2025 Bahrain announced commitments to invest over $17 billion in new commercial deals, including purchases from Boeing and GE Aerospace and partnerships with Oracle and Cisco.
  • The United States and Bahrain signed the Critical Minerals Framework to strengthen supply chains for critical minerals and rare earths and open new investment avenues.
  • Both governments emphasized cooperation on counterterrorism, law enforcement, maritime security, border security (including unmanned aircraft systems), cultural heritage protection, education, and workforce development.
  • The two sides said they look forward to convening the next Strategic Dialogue in Washington.

Follow Up Questions

What is the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement (C-SIPA) and what commitments does it include?Expand

C‑SIPA (Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement) is a bilateral framework the U.S. and Bahrain signed (Sept 13, 2023) to deepen defense, economic and tech cooperation. Key commitments include: mutual consultation and information/intelligence sharing in the event of external aggression; steps to integrate and improve interoperability (air/missile defense, maritime, SOF, cyber); joint training, exercises, defense articles and services; regular (at least biannual) military/defense coordination and an annual Defense Working Group; deeper economic and trade ties (strategic investments, supply‑chain resilience, infrastructure); and scientific, technology, and network‑security cooperation (trusted tech, ICT supply‑chain resilience, network security standards). The agreement also permits additional parties to accede and sets procedures for amendment and withdrawal.

What is the Board of Peace and what does Bahrain joining as a Founding Member entail?Expand

The “Board of Peace” referenced in the statement is not defined in that joint statement and I could not find an authoritative public source describing an institutional body by that exact name tied to the Gaza Peace Plan; therefore Bahrain’s accession as a “Founding Member” cannot be independently explained from available public records.

What responsibilities and influence come with Bahrain’s non‑permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for 2026–2027?Expand

A non‑permanent seat on the UN Security Council (2026–2027) gives Bahrain the right to vote on Security Council resolutions and participate in debates and negotiations during its two‑year term; it can shape Council agendas, sponsor or co‑sponsor draft resolutions and presidential statements, and use its platform to influence international attention and diplomatic outcomes, though it does not have veto power (only the five permanent members do).

What are the main provisions of the Enhanced Border Security Agreement signed in September 2025?Expand

The Enhanced Border Security Agreement signed Sept 2025 (often described as an Enhanced Border Security Partnership/EBSP) focuses on secure travel and biometric data sharing to deter illegal migration, human trafficking, drug smuggling, and terrorist travel; it enables automated exchange of biometric data between Bahrain and U.S. agencies, strengthens cooperation on travel security, and builds operational partnerships to safeguard both countries’ borders.

What is the Critical Minerals Framework and how would it affect supply chains and investment between the two countries?Expand

The Critical Minerals Framework is a bilateral framework to strengthen cooperation on critical minerals and rare earths — improving supply‑chain resilience, coordinating identification and development of mineral resources, enabling secure trade and investment links, and opening avenues for U.S. and Bahraini private‑sector investment in upstream and downstream critical‑minerals activities. It is intended to reduce dependence on adversary supply chains, diversify sources, and attract investment in processing and value‑added activities.

What does Bahrain’s “Tier 1” status in the Trafficking in Persons report mean in practice?Expand

“Tier 1” in the U.S. Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report means Bahrain is assessed as meeting the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking in persons: the government has made significant efforts to prevent trafficking, protect victims, and prosecute traffickers. In practice this indicates improved legal frameworks, victim‑identification and protection measures, prosecutions or investigations, and prevention efforts — though the TIP report text for Bahrain should be consulted for specifics and any caveats.

What is the Gaza Peace Plan referenced in the statement and what commitments does its full implementation require?Expand

Publicly available sources do not provide a single, authoritative text called the “Gaza Peace Plan” referenced in the statement; different actors have proposed competing plans and ceasefire frameworks. The joint statement indicates Bahrain supports full implementation, but the precise contents and the commitments required for ‘full implementation’ are not specified in that statement and cannot be confirmed from available public sources.

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