The Immediate Impact of Neighboring Revolution and War, February 1979–January 1981

Abstract

Three events dominated Kuwait’s internal security arena in 1978: leadership consolidation on the part of the new ruler, Amir Jabir al-Ahmad al-Sabah, who had replaced his cousin, Shaykh Sabah al-Salim al-Sabah, upon the latter’s death on 31 December 1977; a summer strike by 2,000 Indian laborers that culminated in public rioting and property damage; and Palestinian-dominated political activities, including street demonstrations in September protesting the Camp David Accords signed by Egypt, Israel and the United States. These events joined outstanding internal security issues “leftover” from previous years, including the suspension of parliament and certain articles of the Constitution as well as strict press censorship and limitations on professional and social associations in place since 1976. While these issues revealed areas of political vulnerability, not one could be identified as a significant disruption to, or critical undermining of, the security of al-Sabah rule. The ruling family was not being seriously challenged by a national group, foreign resident community or combination of the two, and proved adept at managing the new security incidents and problems that arose.