Our Scans · Bahrain · Weekly Summary

• [New] Iran possesses an arsenal of thousands of close-range ballistic missiles and drones that it could launch at American bases in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Foreign Affairs Magazine
• [New] The US Fifth Fleet, based in Bahrain, maintains a significant naval presence in the region monitoring any threats to maritime security. FirstPost
• Looking ahead to 2025, Positive Zero anticipates continued expansion in decentralized infrastructure across Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Oman, as industries increasingly adopt renewable energy solutions to lower carbon footprints and operational costs. SolarQuarter
• Bahrain provides opportunities for M&A, as fragmentation is greater than [in its] regional peers, with a large number of banks resulting in strong competition and weak pricing power. Pakistan & Gulf Economist
• The ambitious GCC Railway project which aims to connect Oman, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait by 2030 has moved a step closer to reality, signalling good news for tourism. Connecting Travel
• The Muslim Brotherhood is a Sunni Islamist group backed by Turkey and Qatar, but Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain consider them as terrorists who threaten their monarchies. The Week
• AI buildout in the Middle East could be worth $320 billion with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, and the UAE leading the charge. The Washington Institute
• All six Gulf Cooperation Council nations namely Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Oman will only pay 10% tariffs. investing.com
• A school group in Bahrain has developed a custom AI system that conducts diagnostic tests and recommends personalised learning opportunities, leading to a 5% increase in student performance over the past year. Education UAE
• In Bahrain, a school group has developed a custom AI system that administers diagnostic tests and recommends personalised learning opportunities, resulting in a 5% increase in student attainment over the past year. merimedia.net
• The expansion of gas production in Qatar, implementation of economic transformation projects in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and non-oil economic growth in Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates will underpin the resilience of GCC banks in 2025. MIT OpenCourseWare
• To encourage longer stays, Saudi and five other Gulf countries have approved a common visa system, which could let travelers hop across Saudi, the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman. Skift
• The Gulf region is expected to emerge as a central hub for trade and significant business events, with countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, and Kuwait gaining prominence as hotspots for major trade activities. The Pinnacle Gazette
• There will no doubt be opportunities to build valuable and much-needed deeper ties with Qatar and the other three GCC members - Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman - in the years to come. The Diplomat
• The planned Fiber in Gulf (FIG) cable system will connect all six countries in Gulf Cooperation Council - Qatar, Oman, the UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait - as well as Iraq. SubTel Forum
• Bahrain's Vision 2030 outlines measures to protect the natural environment, reduce carbon emissions, minimize pollution, and promote sustainable energy. United States Department of State
• Defence and Enhancing Military Partnerships: Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain, will be eager for closer security ties with the U.S. Hoover Institution
• The expected growth by the six members - Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman - will be due to higher oil production, as the Opec + alliance has gradually liberalised production quotas since the second half of 2024. AGBI
• In the Gulf region, Saudi Arabia and Oman are the only two countries projected to experience population growth of more than 10% this decade, with expectations slightly lower for the UAE, Bahrain, and Kuwait. Middle East Institute
• Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain are not the only countries set to benefit from Russia's new visa policies; India, too, will gain visa-free access to Russia, paving the way for a significant travel boom in 2025. Travel And Tour World
• At Powerlec Bahrain, DRBEG members will be showcasing the latest advancements in renewable energy technologies and capabilities, aligning with Bahrain's drive towards a sustainable future. News of Bahrain
• The announcement of visa-free travel for Oman, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia aligns with Russia's interest in attracting tourists from the Gulf, a region with high tourism potential. Travel And Tour World

Last updated: 17 June 2025