Speaking with The National, Senior Resident Scholar Karen E. Young discussed Bahraini Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad’s visit to Washington, DC: “The delegating in Washington now is seeking US support for efforts in order to tackle the larger political reforms that will be necessary for national reconciliation.” She continued, “Bahrain is an important bellwether of reforms moving forward in the Gulf Cooperation Council,” noting that “Bahrain has been willing to try major reforms to the kafala [programme] or sponsored labour system, including a pilot programme allowing migrants to be self-employed with access to government health care. They are removing obstacles to foreign ownership and investment so intrinsic to Gulf economic models.”