(EnergyAsia, March 1 2011, Tuesday) — The US and Saudi Arabia face direct threats from the Middle East unrest spreading to the tiny state of Bahrain, a regional financial centre and home to major US military and naval bases.

Since 1948, Bahrain has been the headquarters of US naval activity in the Gulf. It is home to the US navy’s fifth fleet, whose presence is needed to ensure the free flow of oil through the Gulf, counter Iran and fight the growing threat of piracy in the region.

Bahrain, a key ally in the US war against terrorism, assisted during the war against Saddam Hussein’s Iraq and continues to provide support for western forces in the war in Afghanistan. In 2003, the US government proclaimed Bahrain, home to 4,200 US service members, as America’s major non-NATO ally.

Saudi Arabia shares a border with Bahrain, and is directly connected by the 25km King Fahd Causeway. Both countries are ruled by royal families from the Sunni sect of Islam which have to manage their respective countries’ increasingly disgruntled sizeable’s Shia minorities aligned to Iran.

Shias, who make up around 70% of Bahrain’s 800,000 population, are demanding more political freedom and economic opportunities from the ruling al-Khalifa family.

Saudi Arabia’s Eastern province is home to much of its oil production and infrastructure and to the Shia community which would be emboldened if their brethren succeeded in advancing their cause in Bahrain. The Shias make up around 15%-20% of the Saudi population.