New British Military Bases in the Gulf

The annunciation of a deal, reached between the British government and the Bahraini regime to establish a British naval base in Bahrain to “combat threats that face the region,” struck many by surprise. Accompanied by considerable media coverage, the deal was met with protests in Bahrain, with demonstrators carrying signs stating that the deal is a confirmation of the “return of colonialism to the region.” Protestors also described the deal is “part of the reward received by the UK for its diplomatic support for Bahrain and its silence over the Bahraini regime’shuman rights violations.”  Bahraini officials, meanwhile, reiterated that opening the British permanent naval base is a procedure that affirms “the sovereignty of the Bahraini government and its ability to cooperate with other states to serve the national interest.” Media reports claimed that according to the deal, the Bahraini government will pay the costs of opening and equipping the base. Reports concluded that the deal is a manifestation of the mistrust of GCC states in the United States as a guarantee of their security.