Sheikh Sabah Khalid Al Sabah Named as Kuwait’s Crown Prince

Sheikh Sabah Khalid Al Sabah has been named as Kuwait’s new crown prince by the ruling emir. The announcement was made by the state-run KUNA news agency, nearly six months after the ruling emir took the throne. Sheikh Sabah, 71, has previously served as prime minister and foreign minister in the country. The announcement did not provide any further details or comments from the ruling emir, Sheikh Meshal Al Ahmad Al Jaber. The political landscape in Kuwait has been marked by widespread dysfunction, leading Sheikh Meshal to dissolve parliament for up to four years. This move comes amidst domestic political disputes, including changes to the welfare system, which have left Kuwait with little funds to pay public sector salaries despite its vast oil wealth. Kuwait, known for its large oil reserves, has been a key ally of the United States since the 1991 Gulf War, hosting American military personnel and the forward headquarters of the U.S. Army in the Middle East.