Amirs, Admirals and Desert Sailors: Bahrain, the U.S. Navy and the Arabian Gulf

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. Amirs, Admirals and Desert Sailors discusses this truly unique relationship as it has evolved through a series of friendships between the ruling Al Khalifa royal family and senior Navy Flag officers who were assigned as Commander Middle East Force and later as Commander Fifth Fleet. As these respectful relationships developed, American Sailors operated their warships in an economically strategic region-but also a region that has and continues to experience conflict, as witnessed by the Iran-Iraq War, Operation Desert Storm, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Dr. Winkler offers an overview of Bahraini history, the British role in the region, the entry of American humanitarian and economic interests, the establishment of the Navy presence in view of the Cold War, Arab-Israeli conflicts, and the downfall of the Iranian Shah in this unique study that tells the story from both Bahraini and American perspectives. Given America’s commitment to this region and its concurrent objectives of combating the Global War on Terrorism and establishing democracy, Amirs Admirals, and Desert Sailors provides important historical context for those interested in an important facet of our foreign relations.