Kuwait: Issues for the 119th Congress

The Persian Gulf emirate of Kuwait derives its global influence from its large oil and natural gas reserves, its sizeable sovereign financial resources, its strategic location, and its diplomatic outreach and posture in international and regional organizations. Kuwait’s oil reserves amount to more than 7% of global proven reserves, and at current production rates, its reserves would last through this century. Kuwait’s 1.5 million citizens are mostly Sunni Muslim, and its Shia Muslim minority (~30%) has participated peacefully in politics. The country’s 3.3 million expatriates play an important role in its economy. Kuwait’s politics have been fraught for years, amid differences between the executive and legislative branches of government, within the ruling family, and among different constituencies. The Al Sabah family has exercised authority in Kuwait since the 18th century. Kuwait’s Emir (Head of State), Shaykh Mishaal al Ahmed al Jaber Al Sabah (born 1940), succeeded his late half-brother in December 2023. In June 2024, the Emir appointed his cousin, Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al Sabah, as Crown Prince and heir apparent. A previous succession in 2006 rebalanced power in the Al Sabah family, and succession arrangements may remain privately rivalrous. In May 2024, the Emir issued a decree dissolving the elected National Assembly and suspending several articles of the 1962 constitution for a period of up to four years, citing perceived challenges to his authority and long-standing executive-legislative impasses. By suspending specific constitutional articles, the decree effectively enables the government to rule by decree, amend or issue laws, and implement executive decisions without future legislative review. Kuwait’s National Assembly has long been the most constitutionally empowered and influential legislative body among the Arab Gulf states, and Kuwaiti citizens have been more politically engaged and active relative to their Gulf counterparts. Kuwaiti leaders and citizens may debate the merits of structural reforms undertaken pursuant to the decree relative to the maintenance of rights and responsibilities of Kuwaiti citizens under the country’s unique consultative system. Since issuing the decree, Kuwait’s executive branch has issued and amended several laws intended to bolster the country’s economic and administrative reform goals. As of 2026, the National Assembly and constitutional article suspensions remain in place. U.S. relations with the State of Kuwait have been close since the United States led a multinational coalition that liberated Kuwait from Iraqi forces in 1991. Defense cooperation serves as the centerpiece of U.S.-Kuwaiti partnership. The United States has U.S. military personnel deployed in Kuwait on a lasting and rotational basis, along with forward operational commands and U.S. military equipment pursuant to a bilateral Defense Cooperation Agreement and an Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement. Germany, Japan, and South Korea are the only countries that host more U.S. forces than Kuwait, if rotational forces are included. The Kuwaiti government pays some of the cost of the U.S. military presence in Kuwait. In October 2025, Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Kuwait’s first deputy prime minister and minister of interior and reaffirmed the U.S.-Kuwait partnership. U.S. foreign and defense assistance to Kuwait has been limited, and since the 1990s, Congress has considered legislation addressing bilateral relations relatively infrequently. President George W. Bush designated Kuwait as a Major Non-NATO Ally in 2004, making Kuwait eligible to purchase certain U.S. arms, receive excess defense articles (EDA), and engage in defense research cooperation with the United States. Proposed U.S. foreign military sales to Kuwait since 2020 have included U.S. construction services for the Ministry of Defense headquarters, Patriot missile system upgrades, Apache AH-64 helicopters, land and air force munitions, and M1A2 Abrams tank sustainment. The Trump Administration has notified the 119th Congress of more than $2.9 billion in proposed foreign military sales to Kuwait. Kuwait responded to the October 2023 Hamas-led attacks on Israel and ensuing Israel-Hamas war by reiterating its solidarity with Palestinians, criticizing Israeli military actions, calling for an immediate ceasefire and unhindered humanitarian access. Kuwait has joined other Arab League states in restating support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. Members of Congress may review developments in Kuwait and U.S.-Kuwait relations in the context of overseeing U.S. diplomacy and defense policy, including efforts to ensure security of the global energy supply, deter aggression, promote accountable governance and human rights, respond to humanitarian crises, and deescalate conflicts in the Middle East region.