Quick History
Britain oversaw foreign relations and defense for the ruling Kuwaiti from 1899 until independence in 1961. Kuwait was attacked and run over by Iraq in 1990. After several weeks of air strikes, a US-led, UN coalition began a ground assault on February 28, 1991 that liberated Kuwait in four days. Kuwait spent more than five billion dollars to repair oil infrastructure damaged during 1990 and 1991. The Al-sabah family has ruled since returning to power in 1991 and returned an elected legislature to the country that has become aggressive in recent years.
The country witnessed the historic election in May 2009 of four women to its National Assembly. Youth activist groups - supported by opposition legislators and the prime minister's rivals within the ruling family - rallied in March 2011 for an end to corruption and the ouster of the prime minister and his cabinet In late September 2011 government inquiries of widespread corruption drew more public anger and renewed calls for the prime minister's removal. |
Kuwait
Nothing but hot dry air and thousands of kilometers of desert here, but Kuwait is still enchanting. Architecturally stunning towers that shoot up into the sky and the vast expanse of desert horizons make every sunrise and sunset a beauty.