Transforming Tomorrow, Together

For over 100 years, Bahrain has been a strategic and steadfast ally to the USA- and a friend to Americans – in the heart of the Gulf. Together we are creating a more peaceful, more stable, and more prosperous future.

Partnership

Bahrain has been a close friend and ally to the United States — and the American people — for more than 100 years. We hope the stories and information on this site help you get to know Bahrain, a vibrant and open place where visitors are welcomed and innovative ideas are celebrated.

We also hope this site helps you better understand how the United States and Bahrain are transforming tomorrow, together.

This site is owned and managed by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain in Washington DC.

A Welcome From the Ambassador

“Bahrain is a true friend to the United States. We value our long standing relationship with Americans, welcoming, as always, their entrepreneurial spirit and the exchanges that prove so beneficial to both countries.”

– Bahrain Ambassador to the United States, Shaikh Abdullah bin Rashed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa

  • Protecting Security

    Major Non-Nato Ally

    Since 2002, Bahrain has been recognized by the United States as a Major Non-Nato Ally (MNNA), a status that underscores the strong ties of friendship and close strategic partnership between the two countries.

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  • Partnership

    Home to The U.S. Fifth Fleet

    The Kingdom of Bahrain and the United States formalized their strong defense partnership in 1991 through the signing of a bilateral Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA) which enabled the long-term basing of U.S. naval and other military elements in Bahrain.

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  • Partnership

    Enhancing Maritime Security

    Bahrain stands beside our U.S. allies in efforts to protect Arabian Gulf shipping corridors as a partner of the International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC), which also includes the U.K., Australia, the U.A.E., Saudi Arabia, and Albania.

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  • Partnership

    Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement (C-SIPA)

    On September 2023, HRH Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken signed a era-defining agreement, C-SIPA, that provides a new roadmap for multinational cooperation in the Middle East. C-SIPA redfines security by expanding beyond military, defense, and intelligence matters into key sectors such as economic and technological cooperation.

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Economic Partnership

Peace Through
Economic Development

Bahrain is allied with our US partner in a commitment to building peace through economic development and was host to the US-led “Peace to Prosperity Workshop” in 2019.

Economic Partnership

Free Trade Agreement

For international investors interested in establishing operations in the Middle East, the United States–Bahrain Free Trade Agreement (USBFTA) ensures a favorable investment environment that has drawn businesses from around the world.

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Ensuring Stability

Disrupting Terrorist Financing

As one of the oldest financial capitals in the Middle East, Bahrain often uses its financial and banking acumen to suggest methods to trace and control terrorist financial activities in the region.

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Ensuring Stability

D.A.R.E. Partnering to
Prevent Extremism

The Kingdom of Bahrain and D.A.R.E. International are working together to support Bahrain’s young people and prevent extremism.

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Side profile of detailed sculpture

Shared History and Values

The Halcyon House Bahrain
Women’s Intensive Program

Halcyon, a mission-driven business incubator based in Washington, DC, launched the 2021 Bahrain Women’s Intensive Program to support early-stage, women-founded tech startups based in Bahrain. Halcyon’s goal is to support emerging tech social enterprise leaders in the heart of the Gulf.

Shared History and Values

US Awards HM King the Legion of Merit

His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa was awarded the Legion of Merit, Degree Chief Commander by U.S. President Donald J. Trump in recognition of HM’s outstanding efforts to strengthen the Bahrain-U.S. partnership.

Shared History and Values

American
Mission Hospital

Located in Bahrain’s capital of Manama, the private, non-profit American Mission Hospital is working on the cutting edge of healthcare.