Britain to build naval military base in Bahrain

[-:Undertaker:-]

https://www.rt.com/uk/320358-royal-navy-base-bahrain/

Britain to build new naval base in Bahrain marking a return to the region it left over four decades ago

New naval base in the region will be a return to an area of the world Britain left to America after the withdrawal from Empire

Bahrain's Foreign Minister and Britain's Foreign Minister at the site of the naval base

The United Kingdom has begun the construction of a new Royal Navy facility in the Kingdom of Bahrain, which will become the first permanent British military base in the Middle East in over four decades. It is designed to assert influence over the Gulf and to fight extremist elements in the region.

The British Foreign Secretary, accompanied by navy personnel, attended the grand ceremony at Bahrain’s Mina Salman Port, marking the beginning of construction works at the new Royal Navy base.

“The beginning of construction work at Mina Salman Port marks a watershed moment in the UK’s commitment to the region,” Philip Hammond said at the ceremony. “The presence of the Royal Navy in Bahrain is guaranteed into the future, ensuring Britain’s sustained presence east of Suez.”

Bahrain used to be Britain’s primary naval stronghold in the Persian Gulf region. Starting from 1935 it hosted the Royal Navy’s whole Middle Eastern command. For nearly four years, from 1967 until gaining formal independence from the UK in 1971, Bahrain was Britain’s main regional naval base.

Hammond acknowledged that there is a link between non-violent extremism and violent extremism, saying that for decades UK tolerated multiculturalism in a way that eventually contributed to violent forms of extremism flourishing.“We’ve been too tolerant of intolerance. Too anxious about causing offence instead of standing up for what is right and tackling head-on the radicalizers and the extremists peddling their messages of hatred and division,” Hammond said.

The £15 million ($23 million) base is mainly funded by the Bahraini royal family and is expected to accommodate Britain’s new Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers and Type 45 destroyers.

Good news.

I'm against stupid wars and pointless bombing but I am not against expanding our interests and influence as a Great power. If anyone is to have influence in the Arab world and Gulf it ought to be Britain as at least we have a historic legacy there, get on well with the Gulf monarchies and haven't truly **** it up like the Americans have done each and every time. Always walk with a big stick in this world.

Thoughts?

[Alkaz]

Don't know much about shit like this but it's good to see. I have a few good friends who uni who come from Bahrain and they say that they are very pro-UK over there and respect our monarchy as well so definitely seem like a good place to have it.