Bahrain: Reform, Security, and U.S. Policy [Updated November 29, 2007]   [open pdf - 72KB]

From the Summary: After instability during the late 1990s, Bahrain undertook substantial political reforms, but tensions between ruling Sunni Muslims and the Shiite majority re-emerged in November 2006 parliamentary elections, fueled by Sunni-Shiite conflict in Iraq. Bahrain's stability has long been a key U.S. interest; it has hosted U.S. naval headquarters for the Gulf for nearly 60 years. In September 2004, the United States and Bahrain signed a free trade agreement (FTA); legislation implementing it was signed January 11, 2006 (H.R. 4340, P.L. 109-169). This report will be updated. See also CRS [Congressional Research Service] Report RS21846, 'U.S.-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement.'"