Bahrain’s King Hamad appoints son national security adviser

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa has appointed his fast-rising son as the island kingdom’s new national security adviser.

Bahrain’s state-run news agency says Friday that the king issued a royal order appointing Prince Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa to the position. It says the order will take effect immediately and the new national security adviser will “oversee the national security policies and strategies of the Kingdom.”

It’s the latest rise in profile for the 32-year-old prince, who is already the commander of Bahrain’s Royal Guard and president of its Olympic committee.

Bahrain is an island nation off the coast of Saudi Arabia connected by a 25-kilometre (15.5-mile) causeway and is home to the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet.