Relationship dossier
Bahrain
Qatar
Relationship assessment
A history of serious disputes followed by reconciliation and restored diplomatic relations
Bahrain toward Qatar
-15Bahrain severed diplomatic relations with Qatar in 2017 and joined regional restrictions on Qatar. Bahrain later participated in the reconciliation process and restored diplomatic relations with Qatar in 2023.
Qatar toward Bahrain
-15Qatar severed diplomatic relations with Bahrain in 2017 amid the regional crisis. Qatar later participated in the reconciliation process, and diplomatic relations with Bahrain were restored in 2023.
Overall relationship
0The relationship has included a major diplomatic rupture and regional confrontation, but the two governments subsequently took part in reconciliation and restored diplomatic ties. The 2001 international court ruling settled their territorial dispute, while the depth of bilateral cooperation following normalization remains unclear.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
Bahrain and Qatar have experienced serious diplomatic confrontation, including the 2017 rupture in relations, followed by reconciliation and the restoration of diplomatic ties in 2023. The International Court of Justice settled their territorial dispute in 2001. These developments show a relationship shaped by both significant tensions and subsequent efforts to normalize ties; the scope of practical cooperation after normalization is less clear.
Areas of tension
- The 2017 diplomatic rupture and regional restrictions on Qatar.
- The historical territorial dispute, settled by an International Court of Justice ruling in 2001.
Key developments
The International Court of Justice issued its ruling in the territorial dispute between Bahrain and Qatar.
Bahrain severed diplomatic relations with Qatar amid the regional crisis.
The Gulf Cooperation Council reconciliation agreement was signed at Al-Ula, opening the way to renewed regional relations.
Bahrain and Qatar agreed to restore diplomatic relations.
Major uncertainties
- The extent of practical bilateral cooperation since diplomatic ties were restored is unclear.
- The durability and implementation of post-reconciliation arrangements are uncertain.