logo
US Embassy highlights strength and growth of Kuwait-US strategic partnership

US Embassy highlights strength and growth of Kuwait-US strategic partnership

Arab Times27-05-2025

KUWAIT CITY, May 27: The United States Embassy in Kuwait on Tuesday reaffirmed the robust strategic ties between the two countries and their shared commitment to regional security and stability.
In a statement, the embassy said it hosted a Memorial Day event on Monday evening in collaboration with the American Business Council-Kuwait (ABCK). The event featured remarks by US Ambassador to Kuwait Karen Sasahara and US Air Force Colonel Matthew Johnson, both of whom emphasized the symbolic importance of Memorial Day and the enduring partnership between Kuwait and the United States.
Ambassador Sasahara and Colonel Johnson highlighted the significance of the occasion in honoring the sacrifices made by American service members and reaffirming the joint dedication of both nations to peace and security in the region.
The event included a documentary screening focusing on the Liberation of Kuwait from Iraqi occupation. The film featured firsthand accounts from American, coalition, and Kuwaiti participants, reflecting more than three decades of military cooperation and sacrifice in Kuwait and the wider Gulf region.
Senior Kuwaiti officials, members of the US diplomatic mission, and representatives from ABCK attended the event, underscoring the strong bilateral relations that extend beyond defense to include education, commerce, and cultural exchange.
The US Embassy's statement emphasized that the longstanding partnership between Kuwait and the United States continues to be a cornerstone of regional stability, strengthened through ongoing collaboration across multiple sectors.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Kuwait officially bans raising foreign flags, sectarian symbols
Kuwait officially bans raising foreign flags, sectarian symbols

Kuwait Times

time11 hours ago

  • Kuwait Times

Kuwait officially bans raising foreign flags, sectarian symbols

Kuwait officially bans raising foreign flags, sectarian symbols New amendments aim to 'preserve public order, reinforce the duty of national allegiance' KUWAIT: Kuwait has introduced a new decree law effectively banning the raising of foreign flags and symbols representing religious, tribal, or social groups without prior approval from the Ministry of Interior. This new regulation, published on Sunday in the official gazette Kuwait Al-Youm, applies to both public and private occasions, including national holidays, celebrations, and regular days. The legislation, Decree Law No 73 of 2025, amends the existing Law No 26 of 1961 concerning the Kuwaiti national flag. Under this amended law, individuals are now prohibited from displaying any foreign national flag unless permission is granted. The only exceptions are during regional and international sports tournaments held in Kuwait and where such displays are in line with international conventions, such as those governing embassies, consulates, and diplomatic missions. This decree also extends the ban to flags and symbols that represent religious sects, tribal affiliations, or social factions. This measure is described as a move intended to protect national unity and public order within the country. Ministers have been tasked with enforcing the law, which took effect immediately upon its publication in the official gazette. Stiff penalties introduced The new regulations come with a series of escalating penalties, with fines ranging from KD 1,000 to 10,000. Unauthorized display of foreign flags is punishable by up to six months in prison and a fine ranging from KD 1,000 to 2,000. Displaying sectarian or tribal flags or symbols carries a heavier sentence of up to three years in prison and fines of KD 2,000 to 10,000. Improper use of the Kuwaiti national flag, such as using it for commercial advertising or in a damaged state, is also penalized with up to one year in prison and fines between KD 300 and 2,000. All violations may result in confiscation of the flags or symbols, and repeat offenders will face doubled to public harmonyThe decree aims to close existing regulatory gaps regarding the display of foreign and symbolic flags. According to the law's explanatory memorandum, the legislation was introduced in response to repeated incidents where foreign and sectarian flags were displayed during public events and private gatherings — actions that officials warned could disrupt public harmony and weaken national identity.'The raising of certain foreign flags within the country during official celebrations may compromise public order,' the memorandum stated. It added that the law seeks to 'preserve public order, protect society, reinforce the duty of national allegiance, and safeguard national unity.'The government clarified that the law does not override existing international treaties that allow foreign embassies and diplomatic missions to display their national flags on their premises and vehicles.

Kuwait renews push for Northern Economic Zone
Kuwait renews push for Northern Economic Zone

Kuwait Times

time11 hours ago

  • Kuwait Times

Kuwait renews push for Northern Economic Zone

Kuwait renews push for Northern Economic Zone Prime Minister meets officials, experts to discuss private sector participation, zone's legal foundation KUWAIT: In a renewed drive to advance one of Kuwait's most ambitious development projects, His Highness Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Prime Minister of Kuwait, chaired a strategic meeting at Bayan Palace focused on the Northern Economic Zone— of which Silk City is a prominent part. The meeting brought together senior officials and experts from the Northern Economic Zone project team to review initial features of the zone's strategic plan. Discussions emphasized enhancing private sector participation through a flexible legislative framework and competitive incentive structures targeting industrial, commercial, and tourism sectors. The legal foundation for establishing the zone was also addressed, with officials stressing the need to preserve full Kuwaiti sovereignty while creating an investor-friendly environment. Reviving Silk City Silk City, or Madinat Al-Hareer, has been decades in the making. Originally proposed in the 1980s as a residential project in Subiya, the initiative evolved into a sweeping urban and economic development plan that includes Subiya, Boubyan Island, and nearby northern areas—covering over 250 square kilometers. Though envisioned as a hub for trade, innovation, and regional connectivity, the project has faced repeated delays due to geopolitical instability and shifting political priorities. Chinese involvement A key driver in the latest iteration of the Silk City project is Kuwait's growing partnership with China, particularly under the framework of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). As early as 2018, high-level Kuwaiti delegations—including representatives from the Silk City Development Authority—visited Beijing and met with China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), the China Development Bank, and top Chinese construction and tech firms such as Huawei, Alibaba, CGGC, and CCCC. These meetings led to several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) around infrastructure investment, e-commerce, and digital development, positioning Silk City as a potential cornerstone of China's regional logistics and digital trade ambitions. The project's inclusion in Kuwait Vision 2035—a national strategy to diversify the economy beyond oil—further deepened its alignment with China's strategic interests in the Gulf. However, the road has not been smooth. Political opposition within Kuwait and debates over the role of foreign stakeholders as opposed to Kuwait's private sector have contributed to delays. The project has largely been on hold since 2019. A turning point Despite these challenges, the government appears determined to move the project forward. The first phase of Silk City, listed on the New Kuwait 2035 website, includes the activation of the China-Kuwait agreement on master planning and the development of special legislation for a competitive economic zone governed by independent institutions. Officials at Tuesday's meeting, including Abdulaziz Dakhil Al-Dakhil, Head of the Prime Minister's Diwan, and Housing and Municipal Affairs Minister Abdulatif Hamed Al-Mashary, reaffirmed Kuwait's commitment to transforming the northern region into a hub for trade, innovation, and international investment. — Agencies

Mind boggling ... experts turn blind eye to tragedy in Gaza
Mind boggling ... experts turn blind eye to tragedy in Gaza

Arab Times

time14 hours ago

  • Arab Times

Mind boggling ... experts turn blind eye to tragedy in Gaza

Ehud Olmert, former Israeli Prime Minister (2006–2009), wrote in an article published in Haaretz, 'What we are doing in Gaza is a war of destruction, indiscriminate killing, and crimes against civilians, all carried out as a result of a government policy dictated by malice, and a lack of sense of responsibility. Yes, we are committing 'war crimes.' How can Netanyahu openly say that Gaza must be starved and that two million people should be deprived of basic human needs? Yes, there are 'terrorists', and we must fight them, but what the government is doing is not a war on Hamas. Rather, it increasingly looks like a political war waged by a prime minister and a group of thugs representing the Israeli government.' Israeli Jewish historian and intellectual Ilan Pappe asked, 'Why do intellectuals become fools when they defend Israel? It is surprising to see senior academics, politicians, and journalists continue to support the current Israeli government. These are highly educated, knowledgeable people on virtually every global issue, and we respect their expertise and perspectives. Yet, when it comes to Israel, we are forced to ask - How can some of the most capable and informed among them be so blind as to uncritically echo the Israeli narrative, without criticism or questioning, despite the critical thinking they apply elsewhere? This phenomenon demands serious investigation. We call it moral stupidity. It is unbelievable and utterly foolish. 'The Germans are particularly notable in this regard. I don't know if anyone has truly engaged with German intellectuals about why they still back Israel. It is deeply embarrassing and calls for careful analysis and understanding. It's as if they are willing to humiliate themselves while believing they are intellectuals, researchers, and journalists, yet they choose to appease a state that commits daily aggression against other people.' In a powerful speech to the Security Council about the situation in Gaza, American trauma surgeon Dr. Feroz Sidhwa shared his firsthand experience witnessing the severe impact on Gaza's healthcare system during his medical missions to Khan Yunis. He said, 'I am not here as a policymaker, but as a doctor who has seen the destruction of healthcare infrastructure, the targeting of medical personnel, and the suffering of an entire community.' Dr. Sidhwa described performing surgeries under extremely difficult conditions, including operating on unsanitary floors without adequate anesthesia, and treating children suffering from preventable conditions due to restricted access to medical supplies. He also recounted caring for pregnant women with severe injuries. Dr. Sidhwa revealed that 83 percent of American medical personnel in Gaza reported treating children with gunshot wounds to the head or chest. 'This is not a failure of the system. It has been systematically dismantled through violations of international law,' he stated. He also condemned the man-made famine that is now claiming more civilian lives than the bombs. His testimony culminated in the March 18 mass casualty incident at Nasser Hospital, where 221 wounded had arrived one morning. Ninety of them were found dead on arrival, nearly half of them children, killed by an assault overwhelming any besieged healthcare system. Parents identified their children's remains by their clothing. Highlighting the psychological toll of the conflict, he said, 'Nearly half of Gaza's children are now suicidal, some asking, 'Why didn't I die with my family?'' Dr. Sidhwa appealed to the Security Council to implement seven urgent measures, including an arms embargo, condemning their inaction as 'evidence of the collapse of the global conscience' while Gaza's last doctors and a generation of Palestinians face annihilation. He concluded his testimony with a powerful statement - 'You cannot claim ignorance when children no longer want to live.' And yet, after all this, a controversial Kuwaiti writer called on Palestinians to surrender ... to their fate.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store