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Kuwait

June 12, 2025

Kuwait City 6:10 pm

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A photo taken on August 7, 2019, shows the French anti-submarine frigate FREMM Auvergne (R) and the US Navy USS Donald Cook class guided missile destroyer (2R) and the Greek HS Aigaion frigate (2L) during an exercise how simulate a humanitarian response to a powerful earthquake and significant movement of IDF vessels and foreign vessels in the Mediterranean sea.

Analysis

UAE’s EDGE inks record $2.45B naval deal with Kuwait, signaling Gulf defense shift

The company’s largest naval export to date signals a milestone in intra-Gulf defense cooperation and showcases the UAE’s growing role as a regional arms exporter.

Francesco Schiavi

By Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

A picture taken on Feb. 21, 2020 shows M1 Abrams Fighting tanks of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, as US military equipment arrives to the Port of Bremerhaven the United States for the Defender 2020 international military exercises.

US green-lights $325 million in sustainment for Kuwait’s M1 Abrams tanks

The Trump administration has notified Congress of a $325 million arms sale to Kuwait for tank maintenance, part of broader efforts to strengthen Gulf defense ties and streamline US arms transfers.

A worker is seen at the Gathering Center 15 (GC 15) oil facility 28 March 2005 in the northern Al-Rawdhatain oilfield, 80 Kms from Kuwait City.

Kuwait renews Shell deal as it seeks to hit 4-million-bpd capacity target

Kuwait, which has one of the lowest costs of production in the world, has lagged behind its regional peers in expanding oil production capacity.

oil field

After steep fall, oil prices slightly recover following Trump tariff pause

Over the last week, oil prices have plummeted amid the escalating trade war between the United States and China.

Latest News

US approves $400M deal to upgrade Kuwait’s Patriot air defenses

US Army Specialist Brandon Sapikowski checks a Patriot Missile Launch Station, on Feb. 4, 2003, at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.

Kuwait revokes citizenship of 464 as restrictions tighten under new emir

A voter holds his proof of Kuwaiti citizenship upon arriving at a polling station during parliamentary elections in Kuwait City on June 6, 2023.

Kuwait sentences 13 to prison over Hezbollah financing: What we know

YASSER AL-ZAYYAT/AFP via Getty Images

Family of US contractor jailed in Kuwait asks Biden to push for pardon

Tony Holden

Sebastian Castelier

In Dubai, reporting on regional business

Jennifer Gnana

Gulf Correspondent

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

Jonathan Fenton-Harvey

In London, reporting on North Africa and Gulf politics

Karen Young

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional energy

OMAR HAJ KADOUR/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

From BRICS to dwindling oil revenues, 2024 was mixed year for Gulf

The ongoing conflict in Gaza, big international investment deals, low oil revenue and increased curtailing of democratic rights dominated Gulf politics and economy in 2024

Jennifer Gnana

By Jennifer Gnana

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

US President Donald Trump (L) speaks with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (C) as Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (R), Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (2nd R) and Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May smile during a family photo session at the G20 Summit in Osaka on June 28, 2019. (Photo by KIM KYUNG-HOON / POOL / AFP) (Photo credit should read KIM KYUNG-HOON/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Beyond congratulations, Trump faces changed, eastward-looking Gulf

Gulf states are familiar with Donald Trump and his transactional nature but have also managed to forge their own regional alliances over the last four years.

Jennifer Gnana

By Jennifer Gnana

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

A voter holds his proof of Kuwaiti citizenship upon arriving at a polling station during parliamentary elections in Kuwait City on June 6, 2023.

Analysis

Kuwait's citizenship law changes reflect growing restrictions under new emir

Kuwait, having one of the more rentier economies, is seeing citizenship laws tightened and dissent quieted under the regime of its new emir.

Jennifer Gnana

By Jennifer Gnana

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

A Middle East Airlines commercial aircraft taking off from Beirut's international airport flies amid smoke billowing above the Lebanese capital's southern suburbs, in the aftermath of overnight Israeli airstrikes, on Sept. 28,2024.

Middle East airlines alter, axe flights following Iran missile attack on Israel

Late on Tuesday, Iran launched more than 180 ballistic missiles at Israel in what it said was in retaliation for last Friday’s assassination of Hassan Nasrallah, the chief of Lebanon-based militia Hezbollah.

Jennifer Gnana event

Al-Monitor expands Gulf coverage with new talent led by Jennifer Gnana

YASSER AL-ZAYYAT/AFP via Getty Images

Kuwait explores renewable energy with Austrian company

Kuwait's agreement with Burgenland Energie reinforces country's willingness to explore foreign partnerships to develop its nascent clean energy sector.

The Royal Courts of Justice in London, England.

Why are victims of 1990 Kuwait hostage crisis suing British Airways?

On Aug. 2, 1990, upon landing for a planned refueling in Kuwait, the crew and passengers of BA149 were taken hostage by Iraqi forces to be used as human shields against the Western military response to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman receives Kuwait’s Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on June 11, 2024. (Source: KSAmofaEN/Twitter/X)

Kuwait doubles down on Saudi ties driven by economics, counter-Islamism

Kuwait's newly appointed crown prince, Sheikh Sabah Khalid Al Sabah, is expected to advance the already good ties between his country and Saudi Arabia, as the two seek to further their economic prosperity.

YASSER AL-ZAYYAT/AFP via Getty Images

Fire in overcrowded Kuwait building kills at least 41

A fire at an overcrowded building in Kuwait has killed at least 41 people and injured dozens more, and the death toll is expected to rise as dozens of others are treated in hospitals.

Female security guards stand by as Kuwaiti lawmakers attend a parliament session at the National Assembly, Kuwait City, Kuwait, Feb. 6, 2024.

Inside Kuwait's political turmoil as parliament dissolves, new government forms

The Kuwaiti emir’s move to dissolve parliament and appoint a government a few days later further deepens years of political instability in the Gulf nation.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hosted Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah in Ankara on May 7. Photo courtesy: The Turkish Presidency

Turkey and Kuwait sign six deals as Erdogan hosts country's Emir

The Kuwaiti emir traveled to Turkey for his first foreign visit to a non-Arab country since he took the oath of office in December.

A customer orders food at a Chipotle restaurant on April 26, 2022, in San Francisco, California.

Chipotle opens restaurant in Kuwait, its first in Middle East

The Mexican-style food chain’s entry into the Middle East comes as Western brands in the region deal with the effects of Gaza war-related boycotts.