Kuwait’s ruling emir, Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah, dies at age 86

Kuwait’s ruling emir, Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah, has passed away at the age of 86, marking the end of his three-year reign, which was characterized by efforts to resolve internal political conflicts within the oil-rich nation. The announcement of his death was made on Kuwait state television, accompanied by Quranic verses.

Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah Al Sabah, the minister of his emiri court, conveyed the solemn message of mourning on behalf of Kuwaiti people, the Arab and Islamic nations, and the world’s friendly peoples. The cause of his death has not been disclosed.

As per the succession plan, Kuwait’s deputy ruler and Sheikh Nawaf’s half-brother, Sheikh Meshal Al Ahmad Al Jaber, aged 83, is poised to assume the role of ruler. He is believed to be the world’s oldest crown prince.

The health of Kuwait’s leaders has been a sensitive issue, given the nation’s geopolitical significance. The passing of Sheikh Nawaf highlights the transition of leadership in the Gulf Arab countries, where younger and more assertive rulers have come to power. For instance, Saudi Arabia’s King Salman, aged 87, is known to have delegated day-to-day rule to his 38-year-old son, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Sheikh Nawaf ascended to the throne in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, succeeding the late Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah, a renowned diplomat and peacemaker. However, Sheikh Nawaf’s political journey faced challenges, notably during his tenure as defense minister when Kuwait was invaded by Iraq in 1990. He faced criticism for his handling of the situation, including allegations that he ordered tank crews not to engage Iraqi forces. Kuwait was eventually liberated through Operation Desert Storm, but the findings of investigations into the government’s actions during the invasion were never made public.

Despite the early controversy in his career, Sheikh Nawaf’s tenure as emir was largely uneventful. He focused on domestic issues, including reforming Kuwait’s welfare system and addressing political disputes. His amnesty decrees aimed at defusing government standoffs were noteworthy, and Kuwait is recognized for having one of the Gulf’s most open and dissent-tolerant parliaments.

The passing of Sheikh Nawaf leaves Kuwait with economic challenges, as its oil wealth has not translated into sufficient funds to support its public sector salaries due to political disputes.

As Kuwait prepares for its leadership transition, the nation remains a crucial U.S. ally, hosting thousands of American troops and serving as the forward headquarters of the U.S. Army in the Middle East. The legacy of Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah will be remembered for his efforts to navigate domestic issues and promote stability in the Middle East.

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• Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah: Learn more about the life and career of Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah.
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• Operation Desert Storm: Explore the historical context of Operation Desert Storm, which liberated Kuwait from Iraqi occupation.
• Kuwait-U.S. Relations: Discover the strong alliance between Kuwait and the United States.
• Kuwaiti Parliament: Learn about Kuwait’s relatively free and dissent-tolerant parliament.
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