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Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah returned to Kuwait on 14 September, following a private visit to Italy that began in early August. There was no official word on the reason for the emir’s trip, but observers have said it is likely to be linked to Sheikh Nawaf’s poor health.

Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmed Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah made a brief official visit to Saudi Arabia on 13 September, where he was met at the airport by Mecca Region deputy governor Prince Bader Bin Sultan Bin Abdelaziz and minister of state Prince Turki Bin Mohammed Bin Fahd.

Disgraced former Kuwait Public Institution for Social Security director Fahad Al-Rajaan died in London on 6 February, according to a report by the Kuwait Times. Al-Rajaan had fled to the UK amid accusations of embezzling public funds.

Nomination papers were filed by 376 candidates for the upcoming National Assembly (parliament) election by the time of the 7 September deadline, including 27 women. Among the candidates were over 44 members of the outgoing parliament, as well as former national speaker Ahmed Al-Saadoun.

Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah left Kuwait in August for what was described officially as a private visit to Italy. It follows a similar trip to Italy in May.  His exact destination, the reason for the trip and its expected duration have not been announced, but it is likely to be linked to his ill health.

Against the backdrop of the general election campaign, there are a number of potential flashpoints in Kuwait. Several issues surround suggested reforms to the voting system; while further changes are now unlikely before election day, the issues are likely to remain on the agenda once the new National Assembly (parliament) is formed.

Incoming Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmed Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah has taken up the reins of Kuwait’s government but is not expected to last long in office, with elections for a new National Assembly (parliament) due in the coming weeks.

The Kuwait Investment Authority’s London office has seen another senior departure, following a period of bruising court cases in which it has been accused of a cynical approach to employment cases

Sheikh Ahmed Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah has taken up the reins of Kuwait’s government but is not expected to last long in office, with elections for a new National Assembly now likely to take place in September. Ahead of that, there is likely to be heated debate over possible electoral reforms

Sheikh Ahmed Al-Nawaf Al-Sabah is Kuwait’s sixth prime minister in less than two decades and may prove to be one of the shorter-serving PMs, if speculation that he will step down following upcoming National Assembly (parliament) elections proves accurate.

Sheikh Ahmed Al-Nawaf Al-Sabah takes over as Kuwait’s sixth prime minister in two decades, but he is widely expected to relinquish the position as soon as new parliamentary elections can be held in the coming months, leaving Kuwaitis none the wiser about the future direction of government policy.

The UAE and Kuwait will soon be sending ambassadors back to Tehran, for the first time since early 2016.

Kuwait is spending an estimated $397m on advanced weaponry for its controversial Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets.

Oil and gas markets are expected to remain buoyant, whether or not Saudi Arabia makes concessions to the United States and Europe by pumping more crude. Ahead of a crucial early-August meeting of Opec+ ministers, the signs are that the Saudi-Russian axis will hold, but the market is restructuring with China and other Asian buyers taking more from Russia while the Gulf sends more to Europe.

US President Joe Biden’s imminent trip to the Middle East has prompted renewed discussion about the idea of a region-wide defence pact to counter Iran. Such ideas have long been floated for the GCC states alone – and always failed due to a lack of commitment among the six countries to pool their defence resources and command-and-control structures. The talk these days is of an even wider arrangement, involving the likes of Egypt, Iraq, Jordan and Israel.