Kuwaiti Emir Forms New Cabinet

Photo Credit: Reuters

Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah has issued a decree to form a new cabinet. Kuwait’s eleventh cabinet since 2006 will be headed by Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak al-Sabah, and will include former oil and finance ministers, Hani Hussein and Mustafa al-Shamali respectively. Shamali had been forced to resign in May from his previous position as finance minister over allegations of corruption. Mona Kareem predicted that although there are a number of unresolved issues at hand, “The new National Assembly is instead more likely to defend executive authorities, facilitate sectarianism, and keep the money for projects and entitlements flowing.”

During his visit to Kuwait, U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta reiterated the U.S. intent to maintain its security presence in the Persian Gulf. “Our presence in Kuwait and throughout the Gulf helps enhance the capabilities of partner nations, deters aggression and helps ensure that we’re better able to respond to crises in the region,” he said. Additionally, the U.S. Navy has plans to send unmanned mine-clearing technology to the Persian Gulf while creating two new sets of crews to operate minesweepers in the region.