Kuwait

General Information

The State of Kuwait is an oil rich country in the Middle East located at the far northwestern corner of the Persian Gulf bordering between Iraq and Saudi Arabia. Kuwait is 17,818 km² in size and at its most distant points it is about 200km north to south and 170 km east to west. Kuwait has 9 islands among them Bubiyan Al Warbah, and Failaka.

The capital of the country is Kuwait City located at the coast of Kuwait Bay. The country is Constitutional Emirate with a Parliamentary system of Government.

The chief of the State is the Emir and the Crown Prince ruled by the House of Al Sabah since the 18th century The head of the Government is the Prime Minister. The Emir is a hereditary position, and it is the Emir who appoints the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Ministers. The Cabinet/Council of Ministers is appointed by the Prime Minister and approved by the Emir.

The country has a Constitution since January 1963 and combines aspects of both Presidential and Parliamentary systems of Government. The National Assembly (Parliament) has 66 seats of which 50 are elected by popular vote for four years while 16 Cabinet Ministers are appointed by the Prime Minister.          

History

The geographical area of Kuwait and more specifically the Failaka island was habituated by the Dilmun civilization between 4000 BC and 2000 BC. The Dilmun civilization was succeeded by the Kassites of Mesopotamia and the geographical area of today’s Kuwait was formally under the control of the Kassite dynasty of Babylon.

After an apparent abandonment of about seven centuries the bay of Kuwait was repopulated during the Achaemenid period (c. 550-330 BC) and in the 4^th century was colonized by the Greeks under Alexander the Great. In 127 BC Kuwait was part of the Parthian Empire and the Kingdom of Characene was established in present day Kuwait. In 224 AD Kuwait became part of the Sassanid Empire.

In 636 AD the army of the Rashidun Caliphate won the battle of Chains in Kuwait against the Sassanid Empire. The victory of the Rashidun Caliphate marks the beginning of the early Islamic era in the region. The bay of Kuwait was home to the city of Kazma which was controlled by the Kingdom of Al-Hirah in Iraq. The city was a trade port and a stop for caravans from Persia and Mesopotamia en route to the Arabian Peninsula.

In 1521 Kuwait was under the control of the Portuguese. In 1613 Kuwait City was founded as a fishing village ruled by the local sheikhs from Bani Khalid clan. In 1682 the Bani Utbah settled in Kuwait City and eventually after the death of the leader of the Bani Khalid clan they were able to wrest control as a result of successive matrimonial alliances.

By the mid 1700 Kuwait City was established as a major trading route from the Persian Gulf to the city of Aleppo in Syria. Gradually Kuwait City became a major trade hub. In 1756 the Banū ʿUtūb, a group of families of the Anizah tribe living in what is now Kuwait, appointed a member of the Ṣabāḥ family, Ṣabāḥ ibn Jābir (c. 1756 AD–1764 AD), to be their ruler. The Sabah family established good relations with the British East India Company in 1775

In 1792 the East India Company was diverted to Kuwait and secured the sea routes between Kuwait India and the east coasts of Africa. Kuwait managed to attract leading merchants from the neighboring city of Basra and became the center of boat building in the Persian Gulf region. The population of Kuwait was cosmopolitan and ethically diverse. By the 19^th century the Al Sabah ruling family was very powerful and established in Kuwait which has developed to a thriving independent trading community.

In 1871 the Ottoman Empire tried to reassert its presence in the Persian Gulf and the Governor of Iraq demanded that Kuwait submit to Ottoman rule. The then ruler of Kuwait Abdullah II Al Sabah (c. 1866 AD – 1892 AD), pivoted towards the Ottoman Empire and away from the British and he also negotiated with the Al Saud family to maintain power. Several years later the new ruler of Kuwait, Sheikh Mubarak Al-Sabah (18 May 1896 - 18 November 1915), cultivated close relationship with the British due to the Ottoman threats to annex Kuwait and signed the secret Anglo–Kuwaiti Agreement of 1899 granting Britain control of Kuwait’s foreign affairs. The Agreement gave also to Britain responsibility for Kuwait’s national security.

In 1913 the British concurred with the Ottoman Empire the Anglo-Ottoman Convention. The Convention defined Kuwait as an autonomous administrative division of the Ottoman Empire and was recognized as a separate province from Iraq, although the Convention was never signed before the outbreak of the first World War.

Following the end of the first World War at the 1922 Conference of Al Uqayr Britain negotiated the Kuwait-Saudi border with substantial territorial losses to Kuwait. The borders of Kuwait with Iraq were also defined after the end of the War in 1923 based on a British Memorandum sent by the British High Commissioner for Iraq. Iraq’s 1932 application to the League of Nations included information about its borders including the borders with Kuwait where Baghdad accepted the boundary established in 1923. The demarcation of the Iraqi-Kuwait borders limited Iraq’s access to the Persian Gulf at 58km of mostly marshy and swampy coastline.

Throughout the 1930’s people in Kuwait opposed to the British separation of Kuwait from Iraq and a popular movement emerged in Kuwait asking for the reunification of the country with Iraq. This political initiative against the British influence in the region coalesced into the “Free Kuwaiti Movement” in 1938 which demanded the reunification of Kuwait with Iraq. Although the Al Sabah ruling family agreed to the establishment of a legislative council and there was a unanimous resolution demanding the reunification of the two countries an armed rebellion broke out in Kuwait in March 1939 that was suppressed with the support of the British.

In 1961 Kuwait formally gained its independence, with the end of the British protectorate and the sheikh Abdullah Al-Salim Al-Sabah became an Emir. Kuwait was the first Arab state in the Persian Gulf to establish a Constitution and Parliament and in 1963 the country held its first parliamentary elections. Baghdad initially refused to recognize the independence of the country and claimed that Kuwait is part of Iraq. This resulted to the demonstration of military force from Britain (Operation Vantage, July 1961) in order to deter a possible Iraqi invasion to Kuwait. Britain kept military forces available to protect Kuwait from Iraq till 1971 although Baghdad signed in 1963 a treaty of friendship with Kuwait, recognizing the 1932 borders with Kuwait.

During the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988) Kuwait supported Baghdad. After the end of the War, Kuwait and Iraq involved into a bitter economic and territorial rivalry. Iraq requested from Kuwait to forgive its US$65 Billion debt and complained for the increase of the daily oil production of Kuwait which led to the reduction of the oil price, causing serious problems to the economy of Iraq. Furthermore, Baghdad had territorial claims to Kuwait’s territory. According to Iraq, Kuwait had been part of the Ottoman Empire’s province of Basra something that Baghdad made Kuwait rightful Iraqi territory.

In 1989 Iraq and Kuwait signed a Pact of non-interference and non-aggression which as it was proven later did not stop Iraq to invade Kuwait on the 2^nd of August 1990. The reaction of the international community was to send a huge military force in the Persian Gulf states, in order to liberate Kuwait from the Iraqi forces. The Operation Dessert Shield (August 2, 1990 – January 17, 1991) at the beginning and Desert Storm (January 17, 1991 – February 28, 1991) that followed, liberated Kuwait from the Iraqi Army.  

After the liberation of Kuwait in 1991 the UN demarcated the Iraq-Kuwait boundary on the basis of the 1932 and the 1963 agreements between the two states. Iraq formally accepted in November 1994 the UN demarcated border with Kuwait.

In March 2003 Kuwait became the springboard for the second US-led invasion of Iraq and the destruction of the regime of Saddam Hussein.  

Since 2006 Kuwait and after the death of Emir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmed died has been facing a continuous internal political and economic turmoil.  

On 26^th of June 2015, ISIL attacked a Shia Muslim Mosque in Kuwait with a suicide bomber. The attack resulted to the death od 27 people and the injuring of 227 more people. The COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020, exacerbated Kuwait’s economic crisis. The country had to deal with a budget deficit of US$46 Billion in 2020 and its economy was downgraded by S&P Global Ratings two times in less than two years due to declining of oil revenue and delayed fiscal reforms.        

Geography and Climate

Kuwait is a country of the Arabian Peninsula located in the northern western corner of the Persian Gulf situated in a section of one of the driest least hospitable deserts on Earth. Its shore includes Kuwait Bay a deep harbour on the Persian Gulf.

Kuwait territory includes nine offshore islands the largest of which are the uninhabited Bubiyan and Al Warbah. The total land area of Kuwait is 17,818 km², the highest point of the country is Multa Ridge (306 meters) and its coastline is 499 km long. Kuwait shares 240 km of borders with Iraq and 222 km with Saudi Arabia.

The Treaty of Al Uqayr of 1922 established the Saudi Kuwait neutral zone of 5,700 km² between the two countries. In 1966 Kuwait and Saudi Arabia agreed to divide the neutral zone and signed the agreement in December 1969. The oil from onshore and offshore fields are shared equally between the two countries. Kuwait has a hot and dry arid climate. Rainfall varies from 75 mm to 150 mm a year.

The average temperature during Summer, range from 42-46 Celsius although the highest temperature recorded in Kuwait was 54 Celsius on 21^st of July 2016 the 3^rd highest temperature in the world. The dry season expands between April and September with daytime temperatures reaching 44-54 Celsius. Between October and April the annual rainfall averages only from 25 mm to 180 mm.

The frequent winds from the northwest are cool in Winter and Spring and hot in Summer. Southeasterly winds usually hot and damp spring up between July and October. Hot and dry south winds prevail in Spring and early Summer.       

The Ethnic Groups of the Population of Kuwait

The population of Kuwait in 2020 was 4,464,000, increased by +63.1% since 2010. Expatriates account for around 60% of Kuwait's total population, with Kuwaitis constituting 38%-42% of the total population. According to an estimate of 2018 Kuwaitis consisted 41.4% of the total population, other Arabs 21.4%, Asian (mostly South Asian) 35.3%, African 1%, other 0.7% (includes European, North American, South American, and Australian). The official state religion of Kuwait is Maliki of Sunni Islam.

There are also small native Christian and Baháʼí Faith populations, while most expatriates in Kuwait are Muslim, Hindu, Christian or Buddhist. According to a study published by the Kuwaiti Public Authority for Civil Information (December 2020) the main recognized religions in Kuwait (total population of residents) are Islam (74.57%), Christianity (17.93) and 0ther religions (7.48%). Most Muslim Kuwaiti citizens are Sunni. Shia Muslims are a significant minority in Kuwait.

The population density of Kuwait in 2020 it was 239.7 people per sq. km of land area, increased by 42.7% since 2010. The fertility rate of Kuwait is 2.1 births per woman, and the life expectancy at birth is 76 years.

Foreign Relations of Kuwait

Kuwait became independent in June 1961, when the country signed a Treaty with the British on 19^th of June 1961 ending the protectorate status and the Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salim Al-Sabah became Emir of Kuwait. Kuwait's national day, however, is celebrated on 25 February, the anniversary of the coronation of Sheikh Abdullah

Kuwait officially joined the United Nations in May 1963 and is a member among others to the following international organisations:

• Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (ABEDA)
• Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD)
• Arab Monetary Fund (AMF)
• Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC)
• Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
• International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD)
• International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)
• International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
• International Criminal Court (ICCt) (signatory)
• International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol)
• International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRCS)
• International Finance Corporation (IFC)
• International Hydrographic Organization (IHO)
• International Labour Organization (ILO)
• International Maritime Organization (IMO)
• International Monetary Fund (IMF)
• International Olympic Committee (IOC)
• International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (ICRM)
• Islamic Development Bank (IDB)
• League of Arab States (LAS)
• Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)
• Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC)
• Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)
• United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
• United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
• World Health Organization (WHO)
• World Trade Organization (WTO)

Since its independence in 1961, the State of Kuwait pursued a fair balanced and ambitious foreign policy characterized by neutrality, its belief in mutual respect equality and non-interference in internal affairs of other nations.  Kuwait is a strong advocate of resolving international disputes amicably by peaceful means and in compliance of principles enshrined in the international treaties and laws. It also seeks international cooperation and mutual respect, a world which rejects aggression and terrorism and also respects human rights.  

Main Principles of The State of Kuwait’s Foreign Policy are:

• Respect the sovereignty of nations.
• Pursue a policy of no interference in the internal affairs of other nations.
• Maintain good neighborly relations.
• Maintain international legitimacy and the rule of international law.
• Maintain international peace and security.
• Call for peace solutions to international disputes through dialogue and peaceful means.
• Work on achieving the goals and principles of the United Nations Charter.

The State of Kuwait’s Foreign Policy Goals are:

• Protect the interest of the State in matters of defense, security, and politics, as the first line of defense.
• Protect the interest of the Arab Gulf, Arab Nation, and Islamic Nation.
• Protect the interests of the State and its citizens abroad.
• Support the noble global efforts for international peace and security.
• Commit to international legitimacy and resolutions.
• Mediate regional and international conflicts.
• Work towards a Middle East free of Weapons of Mass Destruction.
• Work towards strengthening the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf.
• Work towards strengthening Arab – Arab cooperation and solidarity.
• Offer humanitarian assistance to affected countries.
• Display the State of Kuwait’s significant humanitarian role.
• Work towards activating humanitarian and preventative diplomacy.
• Reinforce the State of Kuwait’s foreign diplomatic presence globally.

Since The end of the Gulf War Kuwait tried to secure allies throughout the world and made defence arrangements with the U.S.A, with Russia, the United Kingdom, and France. Furthermore, Kuwait developed close ties with other key Arab countries members of the Gulf War coalition such as Egypt and Syria. Kuwait is dependent on oil and natural gas and as a result to that Kuwait directed considerable attention toward oil and natural gas related issues. During the 2003 invasion of Iraq, Kuwait took a pro-U. S stance and supported the Coalition Provisional Authority and stress upon strict border controls and adequate U.S troops presence. It is important to mention that Kuwait has good relations with Iran.