THE CHANGE OF POWER IN KUWAIT: THE NEW EMIR AND THE CHALLENGES OF THE REGION

On September 29, 2023, the Emir of Kuwait, Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, passed away at the age of 91. His death marked the end of an era in Kuwait's history, as he was the country's longest-ruling monarch.

His successor, Crown Prince Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, was inaugurated as emir on September 30. Nawaf is the sixth emir of Kuwait and the second son of the late emir Sabah.

The change of power in Kuwait occurred at a time of regional uncertainty. The Persian Gulf region is in the midst of a series of tensions, including the war in Yemen, the Iranian nuclear crisis and the rivalry between the United States and China.

In this context, the new emir of Kuwait faces a series of challenges. One of the main challenges is maintaining the stability of the country. Kuwait is a constitutional monarchy with a relatively stable political system. However, the Persian Gulf region is a turbulent environment and the new emir will have to work to keep Kuwait safe from regional tensions.

Another challenge facing the new emir is promoting economic development. Kuwait is an oil-rich country, but the oil sector is in decline. The new emir will have to look for new sources of income for the country and diversify the economy.

In addition, the new emir will have to address the social and political challenges facing Kuwait. The country has a young and increasingly diverse population. The new emir will have to find ways to meet the demands of this population and promote social inclusion.

The new emir: A man of experience

Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah was born in 1937 and is the second son of the late Emir Sabah. He graduated from Oxford University in 1962 and joined the Kuwait Air Force.

In 1966, Nawaf was appointed defense minister and foreign minister. He held these positions until 1977, when he was appointed crown prince.

As crown prince, Nawaf played an important role in Kuwaiti politics. He was a close associate of his father and represented him on a number of occasions.

Nawaf is a man of experience and knowledge. He is a skillful diplomat and an effective administrator. However, he is also a man of tradition and can be averse to change.

Regional challenges

Kuwait's new emir faces a series of regional challenges. The Persian Gulf region is in the midst of a series of tensions, including the war in Yemen, the Iranian nuclear crisis and the rivalry between the United States and China.

The war in Yemen is a conflict that has caused a major humanitarian crisis. Kuwait has provided humanitarian aid to Yemen, but the conflict remains a source of instability for the region.

The Iranian nuclear crisis is another major challenge for the region. Iran has stepped up its nuclear program and the United States has imposed sanctions on the country. Kuwait has attempted to mediate the crisis, but negotiations have been unsuccessful.

The rivalry between the United States and China is also a source of concern for Kuwait. The two countries are competing for influence in the region and this rivalry could destabilize the balance of power in the Persian Gulf.

Conclusions

The change of power in Kuwait occurred at a time of regional uncertainty. The new emir, Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, faces a number of challenges, such as maintaining the country's stability, promoting economic development, and addressing social and political challenges.

The new emir is a man of experience and knowledge, but he is also a man of tradition. He will have to find ways to balance these two forces to lead Kuwait in the years to come.