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While the Gulf
region and many countries including the US are confronting serious challenges
in the region, Kuwait appears safe from conflicts under the wise foreign policy
led by HH the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, and many Kuwaitis
are not worried. Has Kuwaiti foreign policy succeeded in maintaining a
difficult balance in the tense region? The answer is yes, and here is why.
Kuwait is the
only Arab country that has not publicly faced a foreign diplomatic crisis in
the past 10 years with almost any country except in its relations with the
Syrian regime within the framework of the Gulf, Arab and international stance
to condemn the violence there. Yet, lines remain open for dialogue and
diplomacy.
Kuwait's foreign
policy is supported by the positions of the political leadership represented by
HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, who is considered one of the most
open Arab leaders and most committed to the protocol of participation in
regional, Arab and international events. In fact, the policy of neutralizing
adversaries has been very successful for Kuwait, and it did not drift to enter
into a tense relationship with any external party or state within its
territorial sphere.
Even in the
global campaign against terror, Kuwait has always been content to provide
logistical support to the international coalition, even in times of tension
with Iran or Iraq. Moreover, Kuwait has offered various initiatives to
neighboring Iraq following the tensions after the invasion by the former Saddam
regime and maintained a balance in respect for the self-determination of the
peoples of neighboring countries.
Indeed, Kuwaiti
diplomacy has succeeded in not creating opponents, which is difficult today for
many Arab and foreign countries, as Kuwait is among the few countries in the
world that does not have direct enemies or even tensions in its external
relations that pose a threat to security of the country's nationalism. So,
Kuwait indeed is the Arab country with the most positive external alliances
with various countries in the world.
Kuwait is located
in a geopolitical and geographic area that is inflamed by wars, disputes and
conflicts, in addition to being a rich oil country. The reality is that the
Gulf states, including Kuwait, export 40 percent of the world's energy needs,
and their strategic position contributes to the stability of the world.
While many Arab
countries have classified the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization,
Kuwait has not made such a classification to respect the privacy of every
country as long it is under the law and the constitution that allows freedom of
thought and expression to all components of society, taking into account the
diversity of the Kuwaiti society's composition of citizens and expats. The
majority of the components of the society are in harmony under the state and a
constitution that guarantees all rights and freedoms that may not be permitted
by other countries.
Moreover,
internal political movements and the opposition did not have any negative
impact on Kuwaiti foreign policy and its relations with other countries. I know
that we are not an ideal state and we have opponents or individuals who chose
to exile themselves and stay outside the country over political rivalries, but
this did not change or affect foreign policy in any way.
While Kuwait's
neighbors have been tense with Iran, including the United States, Kuwait did
not sever its relations with Tehran. Kuwait also acted as a peace broker, and
the same applies to its position towards Qatar and the Gulf states. As a
Kuwaiti citizen, I feel proud that my country is on the rise. I like it that
Kuwaitis can enter many nations without a visa, although citizens of many Arab
countries face difficulties in the freedom of travel and getting a visa.
I believe that
there is a deep understanding in Kuwait's foreign policy that no country in
this world should think it has a right to interfere in the affairs of others,
or that their religions or beliefs are incompatible with the concepts adhered
to by the countries of the world under the charter of the United Nations.
According to the
Index of Peace in International Relations, Kuwait is among the governments that
do not face clear tensions in relations at all political, military, security,
economic levels. There is no doubt that Kuwait's foreign policy has succeeded
for decades, while others have failed or are struggling in maintaining a
balance. I am proud of my political leadership and the success of my homeland.
By Muna Al-Fuzai
