Topic: 2025 – Situation in Myanmar
Country: Bahrain
Delegate Name: Violet Pintus
The Situation in Myanmar
The international community’s response to the ongoing crisis in Myanmar—marked by military coups, human rights abuses, and political instability—has been varied and influenced by geopolitical, economic, and security considerations. As a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Bahrain occupies a unique position within the global order, balancing its domestic priorities with its engagement in broader international affairs. While Bahrain does not directly border Myanmar nor maintain deep bilateral relations, its stance on the situation is shaped by its regional interests, security paradigms, and economic considerations, as reflected in its broader approach to foreign policy and international crises. This essay examines Bahrain’s position on the situation in Myanmar, contextualizing it within the GCC’s security dynamics, economic interests, and the country’s alignment with international norms. Drawing on insights from recent research on GCC security and economic structures, this analysis situates Bahrain’s response within a framework that prioritizes regional stability, economic diversification, and cautious diplomatic engagement. Bahrain’s foreign policy is heavily influenced by its position within the GCC, a bloc characterized by complex security challenges, economic interdependence, and shared geopolitical interests. The GCC region, including Bahrain, is of critical strategic importance due to its vast energy reserves and location along major maritime routes. As a result, Bahrain’s external engagement is often driven by collective regional priorities, particularly in matters of security and stability. Recent studies highlight how the GCC states, including Bahrain, have faced both traditional and nontraditional security threats, ranging from interstate conflicts to cyber-attacks and environmental concerns. These multi-faceted threats require a comprehensive approach to security—one that integrates military preparedness, diplomatic engagement, and economic resilience. Bahrain’s own internal security concerns, such as sectarian divisions and the need for social stability, further shape its cautious approach to international crises, including the situation in Myanmar. While Bahrain has not been at the forefront of international condemnation or intervention in Myanmar, its position can be understood as part of a broader GCC tendency to prioritize regional security and internal stability over direct involvement in distant political crises. This is consistent with the GCC’s need to maintain a delicate balance between advocating for international norms and safeguarding regional interests. Bahrain’s economic structure is intricately tied to oil revenues and regional trade. However, like other GCC states, Bahrain has recognized the vulnerabilities associated with over-dependence on hydrocarbon exports and has sought to diversify its economy. This ongoing transition has implications for the kingdom’s foreign policy, including its engagement with international issues such as the Myanmar crisis. Research into GCC stock markets and their sensitivity to global shocks, such as oil price fluctuations, reveals that Bahrain’s market is relatively insulated from direct external shocks, including those originating from political crises in regions like Southeast Asia. Unlike Qatar, Oman, and the UAE, where stock markets react positively to oil price increases and are more exposed to global economic linkages, Bahrain’s economic and financial systems are less directly affected by such external events. This relative insulation may contribute to a more measured and less interventionist stance regarding conflicts outside the immediate Middle Eastern context. Furthermore, Bahrain’s pursuit of economic diversification has emphasized the importance of maintaining stable international relations and avoiding entanglement in distant conflicts that could jeopardize trade or investment flows. The kingdom’s focus on economic resilience, social stability, and sustainable development aligns with a foreign policy that is cautious, pragmatic, and largely driven by domestic priorities. Bahrain’s position on the situation in Myanmar is also shaped by its approach to human rights and international diplomacy. While Bahrain has expressed general support for international efforts to promote peace, stability, and human rights, its official statements on Myanmar have tended to be measured and aligned with broader GCC and Arab League positions. This reflects a wider pattern in which Bahrain, like many of its regional peers, prefers to support collective diplomatic initiatives rather than taking unilateral action or issuing strong condemnations. The GCC as a bloc has historically emphasized the importance of state sovereignty, non-interference, and dialogue in resolving internal conflicts of member and non-member states alike. Bahrain’s alignment with these principles is evident in its cautious responses to international crises, including in Myanmar, where it has generally refrained from direct intervention or public criticism of the military regime. Instead, Bahrain has favored multilateral engagement through international organizations such as the United Nations, supporting calls for dialogue, humanitarian assistance, and adherence to international law.
