GCC Defense Efforts
December 30, 2000
Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE sign a regional defense pact
Sulaiman Abu Ghaith
October 30, 2001
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
The United Nations raises almost $1 billion for Kuwait in compensation for Iraq’s 1990 invasion.
Kuwait Assists Invasion
March 1, 2003
Tens of thousands of soldiers mass at northern border to aid in U.S. invasion of Iraq.
Qaddafi Points Fingers
March 30, 2003
President Gaddafi blames Saudi Arabia and Kuwait for U.S. intervention in the Middle East.
Liberals Lose in Kuwait
July 30, 2003
Islamist and pro-government candidates gain traction over liberal party in parliamentary elections.
Abbas Apologizes to Kuwait
December 8, 2004
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
Islamist militants and police fight in lethal gun battles.
Women’s Suffrage
May 11, 2005
New law allows women to vote and the first woman is appointed to the cabinet.
Kuwait Goes to the Polls
June 30, 2006
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 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
Radical Islamists win more than half of parliamentary seats. No women are elected.
Kuwaiti Parliament is Dissolved
March 31, 2009
Kuwaiti Emir dissolves parliament after corruption allegations against his nephew and the Prime Minister.
Parliament Injured in Protests
December 31, 2010
Kuwaiti parliament members injured as protesters fight police over alleged government conspiracy to change constitution.
Reforms in Kuwait
March 31, 2011
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
5,000 protesters fight security forces outside parliament over fears that government will redraw constituencies.
New Kuwaiti Government
June 30, 2013
Constitutional court dissolves new parliament, negating results of latest parliamentary polls.
Censorship
June 30, 2016
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
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
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.