Like many other countries in the Middle East, the history of Bahrain is strongly linked to British colonialism.

Although Bahrain was ruled by Persian, Omani and Potuguese rulers, It was in the 1700's that the Sunni Al-Khalifa rule the country. In the 830's Bahrain became a British protectorate until 1971, when it achieved its independence.

More importantly, it was after 1935 that large scale oil production began in the country, which increased its political and geostrategic value for western interest. An example of this i the naval base installed by the British in 1935 to protect oil extration from attacks or foreign threats, or the presence of the US fifth fleet Navy base in the country.