The below is attributable to Acting Spokesperson Pooja Jhunjhunwala:‎

Yesterday, United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Deputy Administrator Bonnie Glick participated in meetings with the Government of Bahrain led by the U.S. Undersecretary for State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Keith Krach.

Undersecretary Krach and Deputy Glick’s visit follows the signing of the historic agreement between Israel, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain on September 15. Their visit demonstrates America’s commitment to Bahrain’s security and the two countries’ partnership to counter threats to the region.

Deputy Administrator Glick joined Undersecretary Krach in meetings with representatives of both the Bahraini government and private sector to discuss the importance of secure network equipment in telecommunications infrastructure as part of the Clean Network. Deputy Administrator Glick urged Bahrain to deny untrusted telecommunications vendors backed by the People’s Republic of China the opportunity to compromise Bahrain’s national security and sovereignty.

While in Bahrain, Deputy Administrator Glick also met with USAID’s Humanitarian Assistance Advisor to CENTCOM FWD. They discussed USAID’s response to the August 2020 explosion in the Port of Beirut and opportunities for humanitarian assistance partnerships among Bahrain, the UAE, Israel and others in the region.