Bridging Nations, Building Futures – David Brownstein, Deputy Chief of Mission, US Embassy, Bahrain
By Raji Unnikrishnan
David Brownstein, a seasoned diplomat, has made significant strides in fostering international relations throughout his career. Known for his dedication and impactful work, the Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Bahrain has left a lasting mark on every country he has served.
Reflecting on his impactful tenure in Bahrain, Mr Brownstein Embassy shared insights into the significant diplomatic achievements and personal connections that have defined his experience. In an exclusive interview with Bahrain This Week, he expressed his fondness for Bahrain, describing the past two years as among the best in his career.
“I have loved every country I have been in, but speaking frankly, these past two years in Bahrain have been among the best in my career,” he said.
“I’ve had the chance to truly engage in diplomacy that has mattered on a grand scale. We’ve signed the Comprehensive Security, Integration, and Prosperity Agreement (C-SIPA), the first of its kind in the region. Just two and a half to three years ago, many would have said it was impossible. We’ve seen our bilateral trade grow from $700 million to $3 billion. Why does that matter? It’s not just numbers. Every one of those dollars represents jobs in Bahrain and the United States. Each dollar signifies something better for our respective countries. I’m incredibly proud of what our teams have accomplished.”
Meeting Bahrainis has been a highlight for Mr Brownstein.
“About a year ago, someone asked me to describe Bahrain in one word. After thinking about it, I said, ‘kind.’ It’s a very kind country indeed. We’ve been able to move large diplomatic pieces, but I’ve also had the pleasure of meeting Bahrainis and visiting their homes. I hope, in a small way, I’ve continued the tradition of US diplomats being good partners and neighbours, building on this almost century-long partnership.”
Reflecting on the progress made, he noted, “The larger piece I just described shows significant growth. The fact that we’ve been able to sign an unprecedented agreement speaks volumes about the trust and friendship between our nations. On a macro level, we’ve made substantial progress, which is timely given the current regional dynamics.”
On a more local level, Mr Brownstein is particularly proud of the expansion of people-to-people and public affairs programmes.
“The exceptional projects initiated for students are crucial because they plant seeds for the future. We want students to go to the US, learn about it, and hopefully develop an affinity for it. One of the strengths of these programmes is that they present an honest view of America—the good, the bad, and everything in between. This honesty fosters a strong attachment when people return.”
Moreover, these programmes are planting seeds in Bahrain’s future, he noted. “Many members of the cabinet (Bahrain) were educated in the US or are graduates of our programmes. Bahrain is unique in that people often go abroad and then return home, bringing back valuable experiences to build the next generation. Our student programmes are designed to contribute to Bahrain’s future, expanding the economy, promoting stability, and setting the stage for what’s next.”
The diplomat emphasised that diplomacy is not just about policy but also about relationships.
“Diplomacy truly succeeds through relationships. I know that’s a cliché, but it’s true. You can’t come to an agreement on particularly tough issues, or even the easy ones, if you don’t know and trust each other. Whether it’s on an individual basis during negotiations or between nations that have known each other for years, trust and familiarity are crucial. We might not always agree or expect the same outcomes, but our shared history helps us navigate differences.”
When asked if he chose this career, Mr Brownstein reflected on his journey.
“The short answer is yes, but in a very roundabout way. I grew up in Ethiopia in the 70s and 80s, where my mother worked for the United Nations. My first eleven years were spent there, and I often visited the US Embassy. At that time, it was all about the aesthetics—the flag, the Marines. I thought, ‘I want to work in an embassy one day.’ As I got older and returned to the States for school, I became much more interested in the policy aspect of foreign affairs. Growing up overseas and then living in the US gave me a deep appreciation for my country. I wanted to be part of it, but I also wanted to bring the perspective of those who have been on the receiving end of US policy into the conversation.”
He continued, “I took some detours along the way. I knew I wanted development experience before joining the State Department because it intersects with what we call the 3Ds: diplomacy, defense, and development. Through a rather roundabout path, I gained military experience and development experience in Southern Africa and then joined the State Department. So yes, I did choose this career, but it also chose me in ways I didn’t expect. When my wife and I came here, I said, ‘We’ll stay as long as it’s fun,’ whether that was one year or fifty. Seventeen years later, it’s been a fantastic and meaningful career. This might sound corny, but it’s sincere: every day, when I walk in and see the flag, I’m amazed that I get to do this.”
Discussing his crucial postings, he said, “I think the key piece for each of those, and I’ll focus on Syria and the Central African Republic, which were probably the most conflict-ridden postings I served in. When you look at conflict diplomacy, you often think of managing crises on a macro level. There are many stories I could tell, but in the toughest moments, it really came down to building relationships with people who were mistrustful or broken, who had been through hell and had no reason to trust.”
He reflected that in both the Central African Republic and Syria, he invested as much time as possible in listening.
“One of the key pieces in any diplomacy, especially crisis diplomacy, is building trust by truly understanding where people are coming from and why they feel the way they do. Speaking honestly is crucial. There’s a misconception that diplomacy is about telling people what they want to hear. Absolutely not. The day you lie in diplomacy is the day you’re done.”
Balancing career and family has been a significant challenge, said Mr Brownstein who advised that choosing family is never wrong. He stressed the importance of making collective decisions, maintaining relationships, and being honest about the reasons behind career choices.
“I love to read—my favorite is science fiction. When it’s well done, it weaves together history and reality, creating a world that could be. Good science fiction is grounded in reality and incorporates elements of history,” he said, revealing a personal side.
Beyond reading and writing, he has a deep appreciation for history and a passion for woodworking.
“My dream when I retire is to learn how to build wooden boats. We have a place in Vermont, in the Northeast US, where I enjoy kayaking. One of my goals for my last year here (Bahrain) is to see if I can get linked up with folks who build wooden boats and become an apprentice.”
He attributed much of his success to having a strong team, emphasising that a good team makes everything easier. He believes that diplomacy, despite involving a lot of talking, is fundamentally an optimistic profession. Diplomats need to be optimistic because they often deal with tough, heartbreaking situations, he noted, reflecting on his experiences. He mentioned that leaving places like Syria and the Central African Republic was particularly emotional for him.
In his current role, he supports Ambassador Steve Bondy as the chief operating officer of the embassy.
His experiences as a parent and a sergeant in the Army have been invaluable in his leadership role. “Parenting teaches you to support and guide without being condescending. The Army taught me to live and work with everyone. These experiences have been the best preparation for my leadership role. I believe I do my job best when I lead by supporting and listening.”
Reflecting further on his time in Bahrain, he said, “I’ve been here for two years, and what I love most is the sense of joy and kindness of the people. It’s sincere. In terms of government, we’re not constantly arguing; we can do our jobs as diplomats without fighting over symbolic issues. It’s the freedom to be the kind of diplomat I’ve always wanted to be and to enjoy the country.”
On the policy front, he aims to build on the foundation established with C-SIPA. “We’re currently discussing with the government how to solidify the structure outlined in the documents we’ve signed. These agreements have been tested, particularly during crises, and have proven to be sound. Our goal is to ensure that the framework on paper is robust and effective.”
Another key focus, he said, was trade.
“From an embassy perspective, I want to ensure that our platform can support the expanded mission with C-SIPA and other initiatives. With more work comes the need for more resources and space. Diplomacy requires a certain degree of resources, and we’re running out of space. I want to make sure the platform can continue to support our relationship and that I hand over an embassy platform to my successor that is fully capable of carrying on the mission.”
Language skills have also played a crucial role in the career of the diplomat who speaks French and Arabic.
“Ironically, my Arabic has gotten worse here in Bahrain because everyone speaks English better than I do, so I don’t get as much practice. However, I still try to use it whenever I can. People often ask if languages are still necessary for diplomats in the modern day, given tools like Google Translate. I believe we need them more than ever. Speaking the local language shows respect and demonstrates that you’ve invested time to learn about the culture and literature of the land.”