
What is behind Bahrain’s normalisation deal with Israel?
Bahrain moves to please the US, deter perceived regional threats by following in the UAE's footsteps, analysts say.by Farah Najjar3 hours ago
Palestinian men burn the exed out portraits of the Bahraini king, US president and the Israeli PM during a protest in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza Strip [Mahmud Hams/AFP]
Twenty-six years after Bahrain welcomed an Israeli delegation for the first time, the small Gulf archipelago last week became the latest Arab country to agree to normalise its relationship with Israel.
It did not come as a surprise. Ever since US President Donald Trump announced on August 13 that the United Arab Emirates and Israel had agreed to establish diplomatic ties, there had been rife speculation that Bahrain would be next.
Despite Bahrain de...