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The Middle East

The Middle East . Kuwait, Iraq, and the topic. Kuwait . Inherency A. Kuwait is a constitutional Emirate Executive branch – Al-Sabah family Legislative branch (National Assembly) – democratically elected Kuwait has been praised in the past for its democratization….

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The Middle East

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  1. The Middle East Kuwait, Iraq, and the topic

  2. Kuwait • Inherency • A. Kuwait is a constitutional Emirate • Executive branch – Al-Sabah family • Legislative branch (National Assembly) – democratically elected • Kuwait has been praised in the past for its democratization…

  3. UNITED STATES COOPERATION AND CLOSE CONSULTATION WITH KUWAIT IS VITAL TO RELATIONS AND MAINTAINING STABILITY AND DEMOCRACY IN THE REGION • TERRILL 2007 – PROFESSOR NATIONAL SECURITY AFFAIRS STRATEGIC STUDIES INSTITUTE • KUWAITI NATIONAL SECURITY AND THE US KUWAITI STRATEGIC RELATIONSHIP, SEPTEMBER, http://www.strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pubs/summary.cfm?q=788 • The United States also has a vested interest in regional political reform and ongoing democratization in Kuwait. Beyond being a valuable strategic ally, Kuwait has also shown a commitment to expanding democracy in an evolutionary way that supports U.S. aspirations for both stability and more inclusive government within the region. Kuwaitis have a long-standing democratic tradition that they have attempted to blend with the continued authority of a ruling monarchy that has been in power since the 1750s. The existence of this monarchy and the history of democratic expression are key components of the Kuwaiti national identity. Additionally, Kuwaitis may be especially concerned about maintaining their democratic image abroad because of their continuing need for international support against potential enemies. Kuwait is clearly the most democratic country among the Gulf Arab states, and the Kuwait democratization effort serves as an important if still incomplete example to the region. Kuwaiti democratization has shown particular vitality over the last year, and the United States needs to continue supporting such efforts to ensure that they are not ephemeral. The United States must also remain aware that democracy and moderation are not the same thing, and that elections in Kuwait have empowered a number of Islamists who appear deeply unsympathetic to U.S. goals for the region.

  4. East meets West • Berkowitz, The Weekly Standard, “Democracy in Kuwait,” ‘03 • The culture of the Arabian desert and the culture of the West constantly come into contact in Kuwait, and discover ways to peacefully coexist. Sultry young women sashaying in designer jeans and high, high heels pass by, without missing a beat, while women covered from head to foot in dark robes drift along the same streets like ghostly apparitions. Men in traditional garb--flowing white gowns, white headdresses, and leather sandals--confer with male colleagues who could pass for casual-Friday corporate lawyers. And perhaps most startling, since women in Kuwait lack the right to vote, men and women mingle freely on the street, at the mall, and in the workplace.

  5. Inherency part 2: Recent developments • Al Sabah family clashes with National Assembly • May 2009: Dissolves NA over accusations PM Nassir is misusing public funds. • Some Sunni/Shiite tensions • Mostly Sunnis causing problems, but not exclusively • Sunni Salafists – ultra conservative • Shiite – Iran connection • Effects parliament: MoE (a secular Sunni), clashes with conservatives over 9th grade exam

  6. How much they love us… • They say they don’t want to be our forward base • (that means they don’t want to be our base of operations vs. Iran) • They want us to stick around and protect Kuwait though (missile defense) • We have plans to use Kuwait as a base of operations for the entire Middle East region for the foreseeable future.

  7. Problems/AFFS • Kuwait may have some good ME advantage ground, but accessing it will be tricky • There seems to be a case for declaring we won’t use Kuwait as a forward base • DA, T issues • Likewise, we could NOT upgrade their BMD system • Same T issue • Non-unique: BMD’s throughout region, Kuwait has BMD now. • Probably, Kuwait still makes the most sense in connection to Iraq • May have to argue that MP in ME is not essential – there is lit to support this.

  8. Iraq • Inherency • Iraq withdrawal • two timeframes • SOFA: 12/31/11 • Obama’s pledge: Down to 50,000 by Aug ‘10 • War activists say too slow

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