US and Bahrain Sign Security Pact That May Become Model for Middle East

  • Bahrain signed agreement to normalise Israel ties in 2020
  • US and Saudi Arabia also in talks for security pledge

Abdullatif bin Rashid al-Zayani and Antony Blinken in Washington, DC on July 20.

Photographer: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images
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The US and Bahrain have upgraded their defense relationship under a new security and economic deal that could become a template for Washington’s commitments to other Middle East allies including Saudi Arabia.

The agreement, known as the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement, or C-SIPA, aims to promote cooperation between the US and Bahrain across areas including defense, security, technology and trade.