Education

What this one word represents to people is invaluable.  To the oppressed, it represents freedom.  To the weak, it represents power.  To the ignorant, it represents knowledge.  To the knowledgeable, it represents wisdom.  To the stagnate, it represents progress.  Education is the key to success in any aspect of life.
The Kingdom of Bahrain is very aware of the power of education.  
Shaik Mohammed bin Essa Al Khalifa, CE of Bahrain Economic Development Board, addressed an audience at The Education Project, and stressed the importance of education for the people of Bahrain.  He said, "Our common vision is that we should all have access to a decent education. For education, in our world, is the passport to employment and income and personal independence...We know that education is the single most important factor in helping to improve stability, productivity and prosperity in all societies...The Education Project seeks to foster a dialogue amongst the world’s foremost educational leaders and pioneers in order to work towards solutions.  Solutions that are tangible, practical, and affordable."
The United States has a vested interest in the education of the people of Bahrain.  Knowing that the US Navy Fifth Fleet is stationed in Bahrain, along with the Free Trade Agreement, the US depends on the Bahraini people to do their part in "helping to improve stability...in all societies."  The understanding that exists between these two countries must be sincere and complete if stability is to be achieved.  
The continued education also provides more opportunities for trade.  Innovation and new systems and products are essential to compete in an international commercial society.  Without education, products and services would be sought for in other countries.
Possibly the most important reason that the United States is interested in the education of the people of Bahrain is personal independence.  Democracy exists and is successful only upon the backs, and in the minds, of the people.  It's a choice, it's individual.  One can not be free or independent without education and knowledge.  As Bahrain is pushing for a positive democratic reform, education is essential.  There are some protests thats could be avoided only through education.  The United States, as the leader of the democratic world, fights for the independence of all who desire it.  Bahrain understands what it wants, and that is independence.  

On the flip side, Bahrain is very interested in the education of the people of the United States for all the same reasons.  However, possibly the most important piece of education that the Kingdom of Bahrain wants America to have is the true knowledge of the government reform and movement towards democracy.  Without proper information, opinions are compromised.  A fair assessment of the situation can not be made, and that is how prejudice begins.  The Kingdom of Bahrain depends on the United States to educate itself so it understands what is happening in Bahrain, and how to best help Bahrain as they progress through their democratic education.
Another obvious evidence of the interest that these two countries have in each other's education is the exchange programs and institutions in the countries.  American students travel to Bahrain to further their education, and vice versa.  If these two countries were not interested in the other's education, why would that be available?
Once again, we learn that the United States and the Kingdom of Bahrain are intertwined.  They are linked together for their own good, and the good of each other, this time in education.