Bahrain - Al-Monitor: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Bahrain cover image

Bahrain

October 9, 2024

Manama 7:01 am

31°C

A Middle East Airlines commercial aircraft taking off from Beirut's international airport flies amid smoke billowing above the Lebanese capital's southern suburbs, in the aftermath of overnight Israeli airstrikes, on Sept. 28,2024.

Middle East airlines alter, axe flights following Iran missile attack on Israel

Late on Tuesday, Iran launched more than 180 ballistic missiles at Israel in what it said was in retaliation for last Friday’s assassination of Hassan Nasrallah, the chief of Lebanon-based militia Hezbollah.

Bahrain's Bapco Energies signs pipeline deal with BlackRock

Bahrain, one of the smallest producers in the Gulf, is focused on developing its downstream sector and looking at asset monetization deals.

Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (R), meets with Bahraini king Hamad bin Issa al-Khalifa (L) August 18, 2002 at Tehran.

Analysis

Will Iran and Bahrain open new chapter in bilateral ties?

Iran and Bahrain are signalling rapprochement, which could be significant for the regional dynamics; yet amid deep-seated tensions and clashing interests, any genuine thaw will need trust-building and a willingness to navigate a complex web of regional rivalries.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa attends a signing ceremony with Chinese President Xi Jinping (not pictured) at the Great Hall of the People on May 31, 2024, in Beijing, China.

Bahrain king pardons 457 prisoners: What we know

Bahrain’s human rights record has been widely criticized, despite recent pardons, and the latest move follows efforts to repair relations with Iran.

Latest News

Middle East athletes rack up 44 medals at Paris Olympics

Imane Khelif

US cautious on Iran’s Bahrain frozen funds claims, warns of sanctions

Pictured are participants of the 19th Asia Cooperation Dialogue Ministerial Meeting held June 24, 2024, in Tehran.

Sign up to our Daily Briefing

Keep up with Al-Monitor's top stories with a morning digest from across the region.

Al-Monitor newsletter collage

Who is Saraya al-Ashtar, Bahraini group that claimed to target Israel?

Bahrain's Investcorp, China's CIC launch $1B Sino-Gulf investment platform

Jennifer Gnana

Gulf Correspondent

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

Sebastian Castelier

In Dubai, reporting on regional business

Karen Young

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional energy

(L to R) EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell shakes hands with Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud during a plenary session titled "Transforming for a New Era", during the Doha Forum in Qatar's capital on March 26, 2022. (Photo by KARIM JAAFAR / AFP) (Photo by KARIM JAAFAR/AFP via Getty Images)

What does EU visa relaxation for Saudi, Bahraini, Omani citizens mean?

Under the new rules, Bahraini, Omani and Saudi Arabian nationals will be eligible for multiple-entry visas, allowing them to visit the Schengen area (the EU’s 27 member states as well as Bulgaria and Romania) and move freely between them.

Picture from the Web Summit 2024 in Qatar.

Middle East sees 23% drop in VC funding: Qatar, Bahrain, UAE hardest hit

Qatar saw VC investments tumble by 57% to 43 million QR ($11.81 million), eclipsed only by Bahrain with an 82% drop.

Hazem Ben-Gacem

Davos 2024: Inside Investcorp’s plan to build China-Gulf 'investment bridge'

In an interview with Al-Monitor, co-CEO Hazem Ben-Gacem said there is a big push for infrastructure funding in the Asia-Pacific region, controlled buyouts in Japan and growth investments in India and China.

In this handout image provided by the UK Ministry of Defense, an RAF Typhoon aircraft returns to berth following a strike mission on Yemen's Houthi rebels at RAF Akrotiri on Jan. 12, 2024.

Analysis

Explainer: Why Bahrain supported US strikes on Yemen’s Houthis

Bahrain’s geographical position and close ties to the US are influencing its policy on the Houthis’ attacks on ships in the Red Sea.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Bahrain's Investcorp buys 50% of Corsair's $4.8B infrastructure business

The new entity, Investcorp Corsair, will continue to grow with a particular focus on transportation, logistics and related subsectors, a statement from the two companies said.

A general view shows the headquarters of Bahrain-domiciled asset manager Investcorp in the capital Manama on April 18, 2022. (Photo by Mazen Mahdi / AFP) (Photo by MAZEN MAHDI/AFP via Getty Images)

In first, Bahrain asset manager targets up to $550 million in China yuan fund

Gulf buyers have announced 13 acquisitions of public and private Chinese companies so far in 2023, compared to just one in the same period of last year, according to data compiled by LSEG.

US Bahrain

Bahrain inks US deal on heels of prison hunger strike

Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa met with senior US officials in Washington following the largest prison protest in Bahrain's history.

Israel's Foreign Minister Eli Cohen (L) attends a press conference with his counterpart from Bahrain Abdul Latif al-Zayani (R), during his visit to the capital Manama on September 4, 2023. (Photo by Mazen Mahdi / AFP) (Photo by MAZEN MAHDI/AFP via Getty Images)

Hamas, Hezbollah lash out at Bahrain as Israeli FM concludes visit

Hamas criticized the visit as Israel’s relations with the island kingdom continue to improve, despite historically high tensions with the Palestinians.

A physical imitation of the Bitcoin cryptocurrency is seen, Paris, France, April 26, 2021.

Bahraini cryptocurrency firm Rain to operate in UAE

Cryptocurrency is growing in both the UAE and Bahrain amid regulatory challenges and market downturn.

This photo taken on July 10, 2012, in Ankara shows people at a traditional "doner" fast food restaurant. In Turkey 35% of the population has accumulated excess body fat to the extent that it may have an adverse effect on health, leading to reduced life expectancy and/or increased health problems. The Turkish health ministry has launched a campaign calling on Turks to be more active. AFP PHOTO/ADEM ALTAN (Photo credit should read ADEM ALTAN/AFP/GettyImages)

Bahrain, Turkey are Middle East's biggest eaters: Oxford rankings

Bahrain and Turkey are listed among the top eaters globally, while daily calorie consumption in war-ridden Yemen stands behind the recommended level.

Yemen water shortage

Entire UAE, Qatar, Bahrain populations vulnerable to extreme heat, study says

The UAE is particularly vulnerable, with more than 80% of its population exposed to extreme heat even after a 1.5 C (34.7 F) rise in global temperatures over pre-industrial levels.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy (L) and Bahrain's Foreign Minister Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani (R) in Kyiv on May 5,2023

Bahrain FM Zayani takes shelter during Ukraine visit amid Russia's bombing

A senior diplomatic source told Al-Monitor that Zayani “experienced the shelter life” in Kyiv on Wednesday and Thursday nights, a reference to the bomb shelters used by Ukraine to protect from Russian bombing.