In the late nineteenth century, Sheikh Mubarak Al Sabah entered an agreement with Great Britain, which effectively established Kuwait as an autonomous British protectorate. Under the 1899 agreement, Kuwait maintained control over its internal affairs, while Great Britain assumed responsibility for the country's security and foreign relations. Iraq affirmed its border with Kuwait in its 1932 application to the League of Nations for membership as an independent state.

Oil was first discovered in Burgan in 1938. Because of the Second World War exports did not start until 1946. As oil exports increased, Ahmadi was created near the oil fields as a township for oil company personnel.

Though Kuwait had been an independent political entity, it gained international recognition as a sovereign state on June 19th 1961. But a few weeks later Kuwait was facing a serious challenge to its existence. The President of Iraq, Abdulkarim Qasim, claimed that Kuwait was Iraqi territory. The problem was referred to the League of Arab States, which sent a joint Arab security force to defend Kuwait. All the Arab governments rejected Qasim’s claim and recognized Kuwait’s independence. Kuwait joined the Arab League in July 1961, and the United Nations on May 14th 1963.

The State of Kuwait’s Constitution was ratified on November 11, 1962. Its National Assembly was convened under the Constitution on January 29, 1963.

In 1975 the Kuwaiti government took full control over the Kuwait Oil Company and all revenues out of it.

On August 2nd 1990 Iraqi troops, with over 100,000 soldiers, attacked Kuwait. Soon the Iraqis took control of the country. Emir Jabaru Al-Ahmad escaped to the USA. On August 8th Kuwait was officially annexed by Iraq. Only few countries around the world recognized this. The Arab League condemned it, as well as the United Nations.

After months of warnings, a coalition of 28 countries attacked Iraqi troops in Kuwait on January 16th 1991. Few weeks later, on February 26th, Kuwait was liberated. But the infrastructure was damaged and hundreds of oil-wells had been put to fire. It had taken many months before the last fire was out. The emir returned on March 14th.

On October 5th elections for a new national assembly were staged, but only a narrow electorate participated (13% of the nationals). Opposition groups, working for democracy, won 31 of 50 seats.

In 1993 Iraq was forced by US military attacks to recognize the new borders, which leaves Kuwait with a bit larger territory than before 1990.

In 2003, Kuwait served as the major staging base for the coalition forces in the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. Kuwait was the only Arab nation to publicly support the invasion.

Since January 26th 2006 Sheikh Sabah IV Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah is Emir of Kuwait.

In the 2006 elections women could vote for the first time in parliamentary elections. 28 out of 249 candidates were women, none won a seat.


Sources: Kuwait Information Office in India, Kuwait Information Office in the USA, BBC, Lexicorient.com