Bahraini-Israeli security ties will strengthen further

Significance

The agreement is the latest in a series of bilateral arrangements following the signing of the Abraham Accords. The relationship between Bahrain and Israel initially focused on developing commercial and cultural ties but since late 2021 has increasingly acquired security and military dimensions.

Impacts

• Bahrain could follow the United Arab Emirates in signing a comprehensive free trade deal with Israel.
• Bilateral trade and investment flows will be lower than between the Emirates and Israel.
• Ties with Israel could result in ad hoc attacks against government targets by radical Islamists.
• The Bahraini government’s crackdown on opposition figures and groups will continue.