Bahrain has a majority Shi'a Muslim population, yet serves as a refuge for alcohol and fun-starved Saudis who jam the causeway for the Thursday-Friday Gulf weekend. It is an Arab country, a member of the Arab League and resentful of the perceived blind American support for Israel, yet it has allowed an American military presence for decades - the United States Fifth Fleet, part of the United States Central Command, has its headquarters in the capital city of Manama. American ships have been regular visitors to Bahrain's ports since World War II. It has also played host to many United Nations teams during the existence of the weapons inspections protocol in Iraq.
Background
Since the late 18th century, Bahrain has been ruled by the Khalifa family. The country has always maintained close ties with the United Kingdom, formalized by treaties in 1820, 1861, 1892 and 1951. When Britain withdrew from its obligations east of Suez in the late 1960's, the State of Bahrain became independent on August 15, 1971.
The constitution of 1973 that established a parliamentary system was suspended in 1975 by Amir Shaykh 'Issa, and the representative National Assembly was disbanded. Public protests became widespread in 1993 and 1994. There have been persistent rumors that Iran may have fomented the protests in the Shi'a community. The capable Bahrain Security Service (commanded by a British national) has firmly maintained control, however, there is a persistent public demand for inclusion in the governmental process.
The Kingdom of Bahrain?
The current Amir, Shaykh Hamad bin 'Isa Al Khalifa, became the ruler upon the death of his father in 1999. Shaykh Hamad announced recently that he intended to return the country to parliamentary rule by the year 2003 and declare the emirate a kingdom. Shaykh Hamad claims that Bahrain has had a royal form of rule since ancient times and the declaration of a kingdom was merely "an assertion of reality."
Relations with the United States
The United States and Bahrain have enjoyed excellent bilateral relations since Bahrain's independence. The American Embassy in Manama opened in September 1971 with a non-resident ambassador; a resident ambassador was appointed in 1974. Bahrain opened its embassy in Washington in 1977.
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