Kuwait

GCC Defense Efforts

December 30, 2000
GCC Defense Efforts

Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE sign a regional defense pact

Sulaiman Abu Ghaith

October 30, 2001
Sulaiman Abu Ghaith

Sulaiman Abu Ghaith, a Kuwaiti Islamist, emerges in Afghanistan as a spokesman for Osama bin Laden. Convicted in March 2014 for conspiring to kill Americans and providing material support to terrorists.

UN Raises Funds for Kuwait

May 1, 2002
UN Raises Funds for Kuwait

The United Nations raises almost $1 billion for Kuwait in compensation for Iraq’s 1990 invasion.

Kuwait Assists Invasion

March 1, 2003
Kuwait Assists Invasion

Tens of thousands of soldiers mass at northern border to aid in U.S. invasion of Iraq.

Qaddafi Points Fingers

March 30, 2003
Qaddafi Points Fingers

President Gaddafi blames Saudi Arabia and Kuwait for U.S. intervention in the Middle East.

Liberals Lose in Kuwait

July 30, 2003
Liberals Lose in Kuwait

Islamist and pro-government candidates gain traction over liberal party in parliamentary elections.

Abbas Apologizes to Kuwait

December 8, 2004
Abbas Apologizes to Kuwait

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas apologizes to Kuwait for the Palestinian support of Saddam Hussein after Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990.

Islamists and Police Clash

January 11, 2005
Islamists and Police Clash

Islamist militants and police fight in lethal gun battles.

Women’s Suffrage

May 11, 2005
Women’s Suffrage

New law allows women to vote and the first woman is appointed to the cabinet.

Kuwait Goes to the Polls

June 30, 2006
Kuwait Goes to the Polls

Islamists, reformists, and liberals form a temporary alliance to win 2/3 of parliamentary seats. No women are elected.

Kuwait Finds a Mixed Bag

July 30, 2007
Kuwait Finds a Mixed Bag

Kuwait experiences record oil exports and economic growth. However, power generators are unable to keep up with new electricity demands, and citizens have to conserve power.

Islamists Win in Kuwait

May 28, 2008
Islamists Win in Kuwait

Radical Islamists win more than half of parliamentary seats. No women are elected.

Kuwaiti Parliament is Dissolved

March 31, 2009
Kuwaiti Parliament is Dissolved

Kuwaiti Emir dissolves parliament after corruption allegations against his nephew and the Prime Minister.

Parliament Injured in Protests

December 31, 2010
Parliament Injured in Protests

Kuwaiti parliament members injured as protesters fight police over alleged government conspiracy to change constitution.

Reforms in Kuwait

March 31, 2011
Reforms in Kuwait

Kuwaiti protesters call for reform. Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed al-Sabah dissolves parliament and replaces prime minister over corruption allegations.

Mass Protest in Kuwait

October 31, 2012
Mass Protest in Kuwait

5,000 protesters fight security forces outside parliament over fears that government will redraw constituencies.

New Kuwaiti Government

June 30, 2013
New Kuwaiti Government

Constitutional court dissolves new parliament, negating results of latest parliamentary polls.

Censorship

June 30, 2016
Censorship

A number of TV channels are banned from airing news about alleged plot against the ruling elites.

U.S. troops pour into Kuwait

February 7, 2018
U.S. troops pour into Kuwait

More than 50,000 U.S. troops have arrived in Kuwait, with thousands more scheduled to arrive later in the year. Situated on Iraq’s southeast border, Kuwait would be the main launching pad for a U.S.-led invasion. The U.S. military is maintaining 10 bases around the tiny emirate, including a command headquarters, a logistics center and two Air Force bases.

Philippines bans citizens from working in Kuwait

February 12, 2018
Philippines bans citizens from working in Kuwait

The Philippines expanded a ban on its citizens working in Kuwait after reports of Filipino workers suffering abuse and exploitation. They are among over two million Filipino workers employed in the region.