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Host to the U.S. Navy for nearly six decades, Bahrain has been a steadfast American ally in the turbulent Middle East. Its unique relationship with the United States evolved through a series of friendships between Bahrain's ruling Al Khalifa royal family and top U.S. Navy flag officers assigned to the fleet in the Gulf. Over the years it has become a strategic partnership critical to global security. As naval historian David F. Winkler examines these developing relationships, he offers a fascinating overview of Bahraini history, the entry of American humanitarian and economic interests, the establishment of an American naval presence in the Cold War, the Arab-Israeli conflicts, and the downfall of the Iranian shah, among other subjects. The author tells the story from both Bahraini and American perspectives. Given U.S. commitment to the region and its concurrent objectives of combating the global war on terrorism and establishing democracy, this book provides an important historical context for those interested in a crucial facet of American foreign relations. While many works describe the history of U.S. diplomatic and military involvement in the Gulf, this is the first to cover in depth the history of the U.S. Navy in Bahrain.
About the author
David F. Winkler is a commander in the U.S. Naval Reserve and campaign director for the U.S. Navy Museum Cold War Gallery at the Naval Historical Foundation in Washington, D.C. He also supervises the foundation s Naval Heritage Speakers Program and other projects to support the Naval Historical Center and the National Museum of the United States Navy.
Summary
In his book The Line of Fire, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral William J. Crowe wrote `Pound for pound, Bahrain has been about the best ally we have had in recent times.’ Indeed, in the turbulent Middle East, Bahrain has been a steadfast American ally, having hosted a U.S. Navy presence for nearly six decades.
