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

Bahrain cover image

Bahrain

July 27, 2024

Manama 4:55 am

36°C

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

Quick Take

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

The official Islamic Republic News Agency reported on Monday that officials from Iran's and Bahrain’s central banks held a meeting on Sunday to discuss the release of Iran's “foreign exchange resources in Bahrain.”

Quick Take

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

US and Bahraini officials have said Saraya al-Ashtar operates from Iranian territory.

Quick Take

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

The companies the fund will target are expected to have high growth potential in attractive sectors, including consumer, health care, logistics and business services, the Bahrain-based alternative asset manager said.

(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)

Quick Take

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.

Latest News

Regional View

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

Picture from the Web Summit 2024 in Qatar.

Regional View

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

Hazem Ben-Gacem

Analysis

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

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.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

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

Quick Take

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

Quick Take

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

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)

Sebastian Castelier

In Dubai, reporting on regional business

Karen Young

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional energy

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.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

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)

Quick Take

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.

Quick Take

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)

Quick Take

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

Regional View

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

Quick Take

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.

King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa greets Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Abu Dhabi, Jan. 18, 2023.

US welcomes Bahrain, Qatar deal to restore relations

The State Department applauded the "breakthrough" agreement reached between the two US partners in the Middle East.

Al-Monitor Staff

By Al-Monitor Staff

Workers work on the construction site of the Golden Gate towers at Bahrain Bay in Manama on March 25, 2023. - With a multi-billion dollar economic revamp in full swing, tiny Bahrain is vying to keep pace with its Gulf neighbours after more than a decade beset by political unrest. (Photo by Mazen Mahdi / AFP) (Photo by MAZEN MAHDI/AFP via Getty Images)

Quick Take

Bahrain launches 'Golden License' to attract major investment, jobs

Only companies with major investment and project portfolios will be eligible for the license, with either a $50 million value or a plan to create 500 jobs in the country, according to the Bahrain Economic Development Board.

Passengers are seen at Moscow's Domodedovo airport, the day S7 Airlines canceled all its international flights due to sanctions imposed on Russia over the country's invasion of Ukraine, March 5, 2022.

Regional View

Russia to add Gulf countries to visa-free travel list

Russia stated that it was preparing visa-free travel agreements with a total of 17 countries, which include Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and Syria.

Quick Take

Bahrain hotel to accept cryptocurrency payments

Crypto continues to grow in Bahrain despite the global crash.

An illustration picture taken in London shows a gold plated souvenir cryptocurrency Tether (USDT) coin arranged beside a screen displaying a trading chart, May 8, 2022.

Quick Take

Bahrain’s CoinMENA to facilitate real estate payments via cryptocurrency

The agreement with Carlton Real Estate only applies to certain coins. Cryptocurrency’s utility is increasing in the Gulf.

This picture taken on May 9, 2021 shows a view of the Dubai city skyline as seen from the Burj Khalifa, currently the world's tallest building at 828 metres. (Photo by Giuseppe CACACE / AFP) (Photo by GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images)

Gulf states changing labor, visa and residency policies to attract foreign wealth, talent

Robert Mogielnicki

Robert Mogielnicki