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TEHRAN – The director of the Center for Political Studies at the University of Lebanon says Kuwaiti emir Sheikh Sabah al-Sabah was always concerned about Saudi adventures in the region, fearing that Riyadh would push other Arab countries into wars of attrition.
In an interview with the Tehran Times, Dr. Talal Atrissi says that the Emir of Kuwait “was always afraid of Saudi policies that could push Kuwait and other Arab countries into wars they did not want.”
The following is the text of the interview:
Q: How do you assess the role of Kuwait and its late Emir in the region?
ANSWER: Kuwait has adopted a policy of not participating in the coalition, either between the Arab countries or between the Persian Gulf states and Iran. It has maintained positive relations with most of the Arab countries, as well as with Iran, and has refused to take part in either the Yemen war or other wars.
In Lebanon too, he has always played the role of mediator and provided aid to the Lebanese people. This is what made Kuwait a moderate country among the countries in the region, regardless of their different systems and policies. Even with regard to the Syrian crisis, he did not follow the policies of Saudi Arabia and the Emirates. Therefore, the absence of the Emir of Kuwait is a great loss for the region.
Kuwait was not hostile to any country, and this policy prevented it from joining the Saudi adventures.
Kuwait Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Sabah was always afraid of Saudi policies that could push Kuwait and other Arab countries into wars they did not want.
Q: How do you see the political future of Kuwait after the death of the Emir?
ANSWER: Regardless of the approaches of Nawwaf Al-Ahmad, who will take power in Kuwait, the country will most likely maintain its usual policies in terms of independence and will not enter into coalitions because Kuwait is concerned about the policies of Saudi Arabia.
Kuwait considers itself threatened by Saudi-Emirati expansionist policies and their intervention beyond its borders. There is a delicate balance within Kuwait as it consists of different religious components influencing the country, and preventing any change in the usual Kuwaiti politics by the new Emir.
Q: What are the repercussions of the death of the Emir on the Persian Gulf and the Arab world in general?
ANSWER: The death of Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Sabah will not change the equations of the Gulf (Persian) and the Arab world much, especially if the new Emir, Nawaf Al-Ahmad, maintains the moderate policies of the late Emir.
But if there is a change in policies, whether in Kuwait’s relations with Saudi Arabia or in the merger of Saudi-Emirati policies, of course, this will affect the regional equations and the situation will go against the interests of Kuwait.
In this context, the Kuwaiti parliament plays an important role in rationalizing Kuwaiti politics and in directing the political forces. There is a certain percentage of freedom and democracy in Kuwait. Therefore, it is in Kuwait’s interest to keep its policies moderate, and if the new Emir continues with the old policies, the region will not witness considerable change.
“After a blockade of Qatar by Saudi Arabia and the Emirates, Kuwait and Oman were concerned that what happened with Doha could happen to Kuwait, especially since there was a project to invade Qatar and carry out a coup against the Emir. of Qatar “.
QUESTION: What are the reasons why Kuwait and Oman have followed a policy independent of Saudi Arabia so far?
ANSWER: Kuwait and Oman try to be independent and not follow the policies of Saudi Arabia and the UAE because these two countries try to intervene in the internal affairs of other countries.
Saudi Arabia previously played the role of mediator to resolve issues between Arab and Islamic countries. Saudi Arabia presented itself on the basis that it mediated to resolve conflicts without being a party to these conflicts, and within a given period, it attempted to establish positive relations with Iran.
The Emirates also had their economic and transit role between the countries of the region and the world, and this matter was comfortable for Kuwait and did not pose any threat, but after a blockade of Qatar by Saudi Arabia and the Emirates, Kuwait and Oman were concerned that what happened with Doha could happen to Kuwait, especially since there was a project to invade Qatar and carry out a coup against the Emir of Qatar.
Therefore, Kuwait still has concerns and is cautious about the policies of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which explains why Kuwait and Oman want to have independent policies.
Saudi Arabia, especially since Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman became de facto leader, has gone into adventures and no one can predict or anticipate its policies in the region. For example, the war in Yemen, the growing hostile stance against Iran or participation in the war in Syria. Therefore, Kuwait is concerned about the new energy situation in Saudi Arabia.
QUESTION: Don’t you think that after the death of the Emir, Kuwait would come under more pressure to join with other states to normalize ties with Israel?
A: I don’t think Kuwait will join the Gulf (Persian) standardization group. The positions of Kuwait and the Kuwaiti media so far have been clear in rejecting the normalization of ties with Israel and a commitment to support the cause of Palestine and Kuwait. They are not forced to enter into such relationships, especially since the internal situation in Kuwait does not allow such an issue, and the Kuwaiti leadership is not enthusiastic about such normalization and does not want to appear as a client state. Kuwait wants to show its independence by rejecting the normalization of ties with the Zionist regime.
