Interior Minister Highlights Strategic Cooperation During US Visit

Washington, D.C. – Bahrain’s Interior Minister, General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, praised the role of the Atlantic Council in fostering a shared vision and advancing strategic thinking during his official visit to the United States.

As part of his trip, the Minister met with US Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, in the presence of Bahrain’s Ambassador to the United States, Shaikh Abdullah bin Rashid Al Khalifa, and senior Interior Ministry officials.

At the outset of the meeting, the US official welcomed the Minister and underlined the importance of strengthening bilateral ties and exploring new opportunities for cooperation, commending the strategic partnership between the two nations.

General Shaikh Rashid affirmed Bahrain’s commitment to promoting openness, coexistence, and peace in line with the vision of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. He highlighted the enduring partnership between Bahrain and the United States and their joint efforts to reinforce regional stability. The Minister also stressed the importance of enhancing mechanisms for expertise exchange, advancing cooperation, and addressing shared challenges in the interest of both countries.

The talks covered a wide range of security matters, including regional threats and the need to strengthen coordination to counter them effectively.

In a separate meeting with William Wechsler, Director of the Atlantic Council’s Middle East Programs, General Shaikh Rashid welcomed the Council’s efforts in providing strategic studies and analyses, forecasting security and foreign policy trends, and combating misinformation across media platforms.

He highlighted the significance of the Memorandum of Cooperation signed between Bahrain’s Interior Ministry and the US Department of Homeland Security on border security, which focuses on information exchange and the use of modern technologies to safeguard national territories.

The Minister also outlined key initiatives undertaken by the Interior Ministry, such as alternative sentencing and advanced correctional programs, stressing the importance of protecting youth from the dangers of extremism and fanaticism.

Both meetings also reviewed regional security issues and ongoing efforts to strengthen cooperation in maintaining stability.