The foreign policy of Bahrain frequently follows in the footsteps of Abu Dhabi’s leadership. As the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has become the first Gulf Arab state to accede to the BRICS+ group of countries, it is therefore worth considering what Bahrain’s possible entry into the bloc could mean for Manama—even if it may not necessarily materialize any time soon.

Bahrain’s expression of interest in BRICS+ is part of a wider trend in the region. Countries in West Asia and North Africa such as...