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People spend time on a beach during a heat wave in Hawalli Governorate, Kuwait
Image: Asad/Xinhua News Agency/picture alliance Image: Asad/Xinhua News Agency/picture alliance

Kuwait

Kuwait is a small country, population 4.3 million, that sits between Iraq and Saudi Arabia on the Persian Gulf. It is a constitutional monarchy, with some of the trappings of democracy, led by the Al Sabah family.

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All Content on this topic

Players in red celebrate with a group hug after a goal

World Cup expansion gives hope to West Asian teams

As third-round qualifying opens for the expanded 2026 World Cup, long-shunned teams in West Asia might just make it.
SportsSeptember 3, 2024
British Airways Boeing 777-200ER

UK govt, British Airways sued over Kuwait hostage crisis

There are also claims, denied by the UK government, that London put undercover operatives on board and delayed take-off.
PoliticsJuly 1, 2024
A Kuwaiti police officer is seen in front of a burnt building following a deadly fire, in Mangaf, southern Kuwait.

Dozens of Indians among dead in Kuwait fire

According to India's embassy in Kuwait around 40 workers from India have been killed in a fire in the Gulf state.
CatastropheJune 13, 202401:40 min
A Kuwaiti police officer is seen in front of a burnt building following a deadly fire, in Mangaf

Kuwait fire kills 49 at building for foreign workers

Authorities are investigating the cause of the blaze that broke out in the southern Mangaf district.
CatastropheJune 12, 2024
Thumbnail Video | Kuwait Thumbnail no logo

Kuwait Fund

Brand awareness for Kuwait Fund
May 27, 202400:33 min
Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq (Left) is welcomed by Emir of Kuwait, Mishal Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah with the countries' flags hanging in the background

Kuwait's unique democratic experiment could be at an end

After Kuwait's ruler suspended its parliament, is the country heading down the road towards autocratic monarchy?
PoliticsMay 14, 2024
Sheikh Meshal Al Ahmad Al Jaber speaking in the Kuwaiti parliament. Archive image from 2020.

Kuwait: Emir dissolves parliament, a month after elections

The tiny oil-rich nation along the Persian Gulf has seen four elections in four years amid political gridlock.
PoliticsMay 11, 2024
In this Sept. 30, 2020, file photo, the Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah performs the constitutional oath at the Kuwaiti National Assembly in Kuwait.

Kuwait's ruling Emir Sheikh Nawaf dies aged 86

A statement on Kuwaiti state television announced the death of the oil-rich Arab country's Sheikh Nawaf Al Sabah.
PoliticsDecember 16, 2023
Kuwait national team celebrates at a game on January 10, 2023

Kuwait silent in noisy sporting neighborhood

The former football powerhouse continues to watch on while Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE shake up the world of sport.
SoccerJune 19, 2023
Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) from Kuwait hold their documents as they queue upon their arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay city, Metro Manila

Kuwait, Philippines ties tense over migrant workers' rights

The Philippines and Kuwait are locked in a row over the rights of migrant labor following the killing of a worker.
SocietyMay 30, 2023
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India: AI journalism sparks concern

Has India entered a new era in news broadcasting with the advent of an artificial intelligence (AI) news anchor?
TechnologyApril 21, 2023
Woman in Kuwait putting vote in ballot box

Kuwait court annuls 2022 parliamentary election

In the 2022 elections, opposition figures, including Islamists, made inroads amid deadlock with the executive branch.
PoliticsMarch 19, 2023
Kuwait City during a sandstorm

Kuwait executes seven prisoners amid international outcry

The EU has strongly condemned the executions carried out by Kuwait. A vote on visa-free travel could be impacted.
PoliticsNovember 16, 2022
Kuwait City Skyline

Kuwaiti government steps down

The government of the Gulf state has had its letter of resignation accepted amid a standoff with the parliament.
PoliticsOctober 2, 2022
Kuwait City Skyline

Kuwait summons top US diplomat over LGBTQ friendly posts

The US Embassy posted a picture of the LGBTQ flag on June 1 to mark the start of Pride Month.
Human RightsJune 3, 2022
A laborer works in Kuwait City as the sun shines on

Kuwait's climate crisis

Kuwait, a wealthy oil producer, is among the world's hottest countries. But the crisis is largely ignored.
Nature and EnvironmentMarch 30, 2022
Drawing of a group of slaves from 1875

How are Gulf countries dealing with slavery?

Arab states in the Gulf region have downplayed the legacy of repression and racism faced by minorities.
HistoryFebruary 8, 2022
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Kuwait expels Lebanese diplomat in Yemen war row

Hours after Saudi Arabia and Bahrain gave their Lebanese ambassadors 48 hours to leave, Kuwait has followed suit.
ConflictsOctober 30, 2021
An oil refinery in Kuwait

Kuwait: Fire breaks out at oil refinery

An explosion at a refinery in Kuwait has sent plumes of smoke billowing into the sky.
CatastropheOctober 18, 2021
Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah gestures during a meeting in 2014

Kuwaiti royal found guilty in case involving fake videos

Prosecutors claim Sheikh Ahmad, a former Olympic official, faked arbitration to boost evidence for a Kuwait coup plot.
PoliticsSeptember 10, 2021
The new Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah, middle, recites the constitutional oath at the Kuwaiti National Assembly in Kuwait, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2020.

Kuwait arrests political critic for 'insulting the emir'

The poet accused the monarchy of violating the constitution and defying parliament on Twitter.
Freedom of SpeechJuly 8, 2021
Kuwait's Emir Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah attends a parliament session in Kuwait City

Kuwait government ministers resign en masse

PM Sabah must submit his government's resignation to Kuwait's ruler after many of his ministers quit their posts.
PoliticsJanuary 12, 2021
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman greets Qatar's ruler Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani

Gulf leaders sign agreement to end Qatar blockade

The Saudi crown prince embraced the emir of Qatar before signing a pledge to end the boycott of the smaller country.
ConflictsJanuary 4, 2021
Kuwaiti billboard featuring Alia Al Khalid

Kuwait's all-male parliament is a blow for women's rights

None of the 29 female candidates won a seat in the election, but they are far from stopping their efforts, they tell DW.
PoliticsDecember 10, 2020
A man votes in Kuwait's parliamentary election

Kuwait election delivers all-male parliament

All of the female candidates in Kuwait's vote lost their races, even though younger opposition candidates made gains.
PoliticsDecember 6, 2020
The skyline of Doha

Gulf nations hope Qatar crisis can be resolved

Gulf foreign ministers have expressed optimism about ending a dispute that saw Saudi Arabia and allies boycott Qatar.
PoliticsDecember 4, 2020
Men carrying coffin of Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah

Kuwait sticks to the past for its future

But the new emir of Kuwait could lay the groundwork for his successor to herald a new era in the Middle East.
PoliticsOctober 1, 2020
Kuwait Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad Al-Sabah

Kuwait ruler Emir Sheikh Sabah dies at 91

His designated successor is his brother, Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah.
PoliticsSeptember 29, 2020
Workers in overalls hold up their hands and wait in line to be transferred to their workplace

Kuwait's new expat bill could force thousands out

As the economy falters amid the coronavirus pandemic, expatriates who call Kuwait home are in the firing line.
PoliticsJuly 22, 2020
VAE Dubai | Arbeiter

Coronavirus deepens risks for migrant workers

With little support to manage the virus' fallout, foreign workers in the oil-rich Gulf face a crisis they can't afford.
Human RightsMay 1, 2020
German Bundeswehr soldiers hold a handheld mortar-launcher

The German Bundeswehr's missions in the Middle East

Germany is moving 35 soldiers from Iraq to Jordan and Kuwait. DW looks at the armed forces' missions in the region.
ConflictsJanuary 7, 2020
Bedoon protester holding a poster reading 'I have a dream,' photo from 2012

Bedoons: Kuwait's stateless minority

For over 50 years, the Bedoons have been living in Kuwait without citizenship status. But a solution could be imminent.
Human RightsJuly 21, 2019
Migrants workers in Doha, Qatar

Migrants in the Gulf shown the door

More than a million foreign workers have been sent home as Gulf leaders face pressure to hire more locals.
BusinessJune 18, 2019
A derek pumps in a Kuwaiti oil field as a pair of gas flares burn in the background.

Kuwait pumps up oil output to limit prices

Kuwait is to increase its output as part of a broader agreement by OPEC countries and Russia to boost production.
PoliticsJune 30, 2018
Philippinen Manila Proteste Tod von Joanna Demafelis

Workers struggle as Philippines-Kuwait ties worsen

Diplomatic ties continue to worsen as President Duterte declares a permanent ban on Filipino workers going to Kuwait.
PoliticsMay 1, 2018
Protesters in the Philippines hold photos of loved ones who were killed working as domestic workers overseas.

Filipina maid's murderers get death penalty in Kuwait

The discovery of the maid's body inside a household refreigreator strained ties between Kuwait and the Philippines.
Law and JusticeApril 1, 2018
Kuwait Airways plane flying over London, Great Britain

Kuwait Airways' uncertain German future

Kuwait Airways has come under fire after the carrier stopped an Israeli passenger from boarding its flight in Frankfurt.
PoliticsMarch 27, 2018
Funeral for Joanna Demafelis

Suspect arrested in connection with frozen maid death

A man has been arrested for the death of Joanna Demafelis, a Filipina maid found dead in a freezer in Kuwait City.
CrimeFebruary 24, 2018
International donor conference for Iraqi reconstruction

Kuwait summit: $30 billion to rebuild Iraq

The three-day meeting in Kuwait City brought 74 nations together to help Iraq financially rebuild after 15 years of war.
PoliticsFebruary 14, 2018
Kuwait Geberkonferenz Wiederaufbau Irak

US to lend Iraq $3 billion to rebuild country

The United States has pledged a loan worth $3 billion from EXIM bank to help rebuild Iraq.
BusinessFebruary 13, 201801:36 min
Philippinen v

Philippines' Kuwait worker ban causes tension

Activists say a ban on deployment of all Filipino workers to Kuwait is not a solution to the problem of worker abuse.
SocietyFebruary 13, 2018
Members of the GCC pose for a so-called family photo during an abbreviated summit meeting.

Gulf summit breaks-up within hours amid tensions

Four of the six participants, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Oman refused to send their heads of state.
PoliticsDecember 5, 2017
US aircraft fly over burning oilfields set alight by Iraqi troops retreating from Kuwait

Iraq to resume oil reparations for Gulf War: UN

The UN Security Council's compensation organ has announced Baghdad's desire to settle war reparations by 2021.
ConflictsNovember 21, 2017
Kuwait Airlines

Long-running standoffs limit Israeli movement

A German court ruling allowing Kuwait Airlines to block an Israeli has focused attention on Arabs' boycott of Israel.
PoliticsNovember 17, 2017
Kuwait Airlines aircraft lands in London Heathrow

Court rules airline can ban Israeli passengers

Kuwait Airways was said to be 'within its rights' to cancel an Israeli passenger's ticket because of their citizenship.
Law and JusticeNovember 16, 2017
Macron with the Saudi crown prince

Macron urges calm in Lebanon dispute

Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Kuwait urged their citizens to leave Lebanon amid rising tensions with the Hezbollah militia.
ConflictsNovember 9, 2017
Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad Al-Sabah

Kuwait: Emir accepts government's resignation

The cabinet had been in place since elections in November 2016. After opposition lawmakers filed a vote
PoliticsOctober 30, 2017
Kuwaiti security officials

Kuwait arrests 'terror cell' convicts

Kuwaiti authorities have captured 12 convicted "terrorists" with ties to Iran and Lebanese Shiite group, Hezbollah.
PoliticsAugust 12, 2017
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Trump empire scrutinized

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PoliticsJuly 31, 2017
Kuwait Iranische Botschaft

Kuwait expels Iranian diplomats over spy cell

Kuwait's action comes in response to Iran and Hezbollah allegedly running a spy cell in the country.
PoliticsJuly 20, 2017