Editing Politics of Bahrain (section)

===External threats===
Though juxtaposed between much larger neighbours, the tiny island Kingdom of Bahrain does not face any immediate threats from foreign nations. Likewise, it is not currently involved in any international disputes. In the recent past, however, relations between Bahrain and two other Persian Gulf states – [[Iran]] and [[Qatar]] – were less than amicable. The government of Bahrain has made a concerted effort to improve relations with both. Relations with Iran were initially strained over Bahrain's 1981 discovery of an Iranian-sponsored plot to stage a [[coup]]. Bahrain's suspicion that Iran had also instigated domestic political unrest in the 1990s fueled the tension. Bahrain's recent efforts to improve relations with Iran include encouraging [[trade]] between the respective nations, as well as promoting maritime security cooperation. Hostile relations between Bahrain and Qatar stemmed from a longstanding territorial dispute. On March 16, 2001, an [[International Court of Justice]] (ICJ) ruling facilitated a peaceful settlement of the matter. The ICJ granted sovereignty over the [[Hawar Islands]] and [[Qit' at Jaradah]] to Bahrain and sovereignty over [[Zubarah]] (part of the [[Qatar Peninsula]]), [[Janan Island]] and [[Fasht ad Dibal]] to Qatar.{{anchor|Fasht ad Dibal}}