The story: Bahrain has restored full diplomatic ties with Lebanon. The move follows Manama’s downgrading of relations 18 months ago over a Lebanese minister’s criticism of the Saudi-led war in Yemen. The rapprochement also comes in the wake of the Lebanese government’s effective facilitating of Bahrain’s ramping up of pressure on Beirut-based Shiite dissidents.

The coverage: The official Bahrain News Agency on May 20 stated that Manama would return its ambassador to Beirut. Of note, Bahrain and several other Gulf Arab states pulled out their envoys in Oct. 2021 following a spat over a Lebanese minister’s criticism of the Saudi role in Yemen.

• Two days later, on May 22, Bahraini Interior Minister Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa received a phone call from his Lebanese counterpart Bassam Mawlawi. The senior Bahraini official highlighted the importance of “developing security cooperation and coordination” between the two states.

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati on May 20 welcomed the rapprochement with Bahrain and expressed appreciation to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states for...