Britain to open military base in Bahrain

[Gabbar Singh]

Bahrain already have the American fifth fleet stationed there permanently and now this.

Britain is to establish its first permanent military base in the Middle East since it formally withdrew from the region in 1971.

The base, at the Mina Salman Port in Bahrain, will host ships including destroyers and aircraft carriers.

The UK said it was an "expansion of the Royal Navy's footprint" and would "reinforce stability" in the Gulf.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-30355953

 

[BlackThunder]

Another valuable recruitment tool for groups like ISIS, Al Qaeda etc.

 

[Saeed]

Why? To show support to the Sunni government against majority Shias?

 

[Robert]

Bahrain is considered to be a non-NATO ally to NATO states. It's a shame that we have to lend support to these despots in order to keep things relatively stable.

 

[Markhor]

Another valuable recruitment tool for groups like ISIS, Al Qaeda etc.

Indeed, I think Bin Laden once stated that his motivation for terrorism came from seeing the American military bases across the Middle East including Saudi Arabia.

 

[Robert]

I doubt that a RN ship will be there very often. It will be the equivalent of a truck stop on a long road haul.

 

[Laparwah]

Bahrain should just give there whole country to the British.

 

[FreeBird]

Can Bahrain also open its military base in United States to make it an even hand of friendship?

 

[Saeed]

Can Bahrain also open its military base in United States to make it an even hand of friendship?

Maybe they should support some oppressive dictator in Ukraine. This will make the Ukrainians hate Bahrain and some might even attack Bahrain. Later, they can go on to make bases in Ukraine with the excuse that terrorists attack us so we have to defend ourselves.

 

[Gabbar Singh]

Bahrain hosts 6-8k U.S. military personnel in what will end up being a 120 acre naval and military base. They also called upon thousands of Saudi, Emirati and Pakistani soldiers when they wanted to deal with their Shiite citizens who dared to protest against the ruling elite.

Apart from hosting F1 races and horse races I wonder if there is anything they are willing to do without outside help.

 

[shortbread]

Bahrain is willing to pay anyone who will act as henchmen at the royal family's disposal. Its a sham he UK govt is comfortable in stooping so low!!

 

[Robert]

Bahrain should just give there whole country to the British.

I doubt that an occasional appearance from a Royal Navy frigate will have much influence other than to keep some oil flowing the UK's way.

 

[Lords]

US has bases all over the muslim world including pakistan. If i am not wrong then there was a report that american drones which go after pakistani terrorists fly from and land in Pakistan. Even the OBL raid was conducted from within pakistan.

If my memory serves right then i think Baba Rehman even once said that american drones are only allowed to land in pakistan but not fly from it.

 

[Laparwah]

I doubt that an occasional appearance from a Royal Navy frigate will have much influence other than to keep some oil flowing the UK's way.

...and to do Israel's bidding not that I give a damn about the Israelis or Arabs. The world can do whatever it wants in the Middle East, I only care about the UK and Pakistan.

 

[Gabbar Singh]

This opened a few months ago......

Manama, Bahrain (AP) -- Britain opened its first permanent military base in the Middle East in more than four decades on Thursday in the Persian Gulf country of Bahrain, giving the U.K. an expansive presence along key international shipping routes.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-04-05/uk-opens-persian-gulf-naval-base-in-bahrain