Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III greeted the Crown Prince of Bahrain, Salman bin Hamad, in Manama, Bahrain, Sept. 7, 2021 to thank Bahrain and regional partners for their cooperation with the United States during the evacuation of Americans, Afghans and citizens from other nations from Afghanistan. (Photo By: Chad McNeeley, DOD)
By Gary Raynaldo DIPLOMATIC TIMES
WASHINGTON DC – PENTAGON – A lot has changed since the U.S. Secretary of State Lloyd Austin met with the Crown Prince of Bahrain Salman bin Hamad last September in capital city Manama. U.S. troops have pulled out of Afghanistan and the Pentagon is now focused on the Russia-Ukraine crisis sending thousands of military personnel to Europe. This week, Secretary of Defense Austin hosted Bahrain Crown Prince Al Khalifa at the Pentagon and discussed a range of issues from global problems including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to regional problems in Iran. Secretary Austin reaffirmed the strength of the U.S. bilateral defense partnership with Bahrain, a major Non-NATO Ally of the United States. Austin noted that the American-Bahraini relationship is “longstanding and deep”, and said the US appreciates and welcomes these contacts. Both leaders condemned the “unprovoked and unjust” invasion of Ukraine and the importance of upholding the international rules-based order, before addressing the “importance” of expanding regional cooperation to confront the “full scope of threats” from Iran, including strengthening air and missile defense and bolstering maritime security.
“Of course, Russia’s unprovoked and unjust invasion of Ukraine is on everyone’s mind,” the secretary said at the start of the meeting. “We’re standing squarely with the people of Ukraine, and we continue to provide them with security assistance to defend themselves.” Austin also mentioned Iran and “its support for terrorists” which must be dealt with, he said. Austin reiterated that America will not let Iran develop and field a nuclear weapon.
“We know that we can depend on Bahrain as a major NATO ally. And you showed that yet again, with invaluable support for last year’s historic Afghan evacuation. Bahrain has also demonstrated its role as a regional leader, by taking the courageous step of establishing a lasting partnership with Israel. That is a momentous decision that will make the region more secure. So, we’re going to work together with Bahrain, Israel and our regional partners to strengthen air defenses, counter unmanned aerial systems and bolster maritime security.”
-U.S. Defense Secretary Austin
Secretary Austin thanked the Crown Prince for Bahrain’s longstanding hospitality to U.S. forces—including hosting U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and the Fifth Fleet. In January 2021, the U.S. designated Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates “major security partners”. Iran-backed militia groups have operated in Bahrain and many fear the U.S. base there with 5,000 American troops could become a target of attack. The UAE hosts 3,500 American troops mostly at Al-Dhafra Air Base. Both the UAE and Bahrain normalized relations with the state of Israel in 2020 under the Trump administration. Israel’s pacts with the UAE and Bahrain are “a strategic nightmare for Iran”, Foreignpolicy.com wrote at the time.
Photo by Gary Raynaldo / ©Diplomatic Times / Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III greets Bahraini Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa prior to a meeting at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., March 2, 2022.
The crown prince told Defense Secretary Austin that he and his country are always open to new ideas and new processes.
“I think in times of crisis, it is always important for good friends to meet and share ideas to explore, maybe ideas that … their time has come. There is no doubt in my mind, that the international world order that was established after World War II and guaranteed the peace for so many decades, is at its most fragile. And I think thinking about our shared collective security in a new way is something that we should do.”
-Bahrain Crown Prince
Photo by Gary Raynaldo / ©Diplomatic Times / Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III greets Bahraini Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa with honor cordon prior to a meeting at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., March 2, 2022.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III greets Bahraini Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa prior to a meeting at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., March 2, 2022. (DoD Photo by U.S. Air Force TSgt. Jack Sanders)
“We are very proud of our partnership to the United States. This is our 75th year that we have hosted the U.S. Navy in the Kingdom of Bahrain.”
-Bahrain Crown Prince
DIPLOMATIC TIMES VIDEO – Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III greets Bahraini Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa with honor cordon prior to a meeting at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., March 2, 2022.
Photo by Gary Raynaldo / ©Diplomatic Times / Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III greets Bahraini Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa with honor cordon prior to a meeting at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., March 2, 2022.
DIPLOMATIC TIMES VIDEO – Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III greets Bahraini Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa with honor cordon prior to a meeting at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., March 2, 2022.
Photo by Gary Raynaldo / ©Diplomatic Times / Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III greets Bahraini Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa with honor cordon prior to a meeting at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., March 2, 2022.
Photo by Gary Raynaldo / ©Diplomatic Times / Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III greets Bahraini Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa with honor cordon prior to a meeting at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., March 2, 2022.
Photo by Gary Raynaldo / ©Diplomatic Times / Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III greets Bahraini Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa with honor cordon prior to a meeting at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., March 2, 2022.
DIPLOMATIC TIMES VIDEO – Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III greets Bahraini Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa with honor cordon prior to a meeting at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., March 2, 2022.
