Kuwait: Saudi Campaign on Democracy

An opinion piece in the Palestinian Al-Quds al-Arabi by Nasser al-Abdali (translated by Mideast Wire) argues that Saudi Arabia has launched an undercover campaign to frighten Gulf citizens over the political and social action taking place in Kuwait. While the Saudis are attempting to suppress democracy, Al-Abdali argues that the Kuwaiti royal family represents the middle ground for the country’s social conflict and that the choice of Sheikh Abdullah Salem Rahme was historical turn in terms of democracy.

The editorial continues that, “democracy in Kuwait defined public funds and private funds, and [gave] the state money under strict supervision [...] while in the other Gulf countries, the citizens do not know the difference between the two.”  As a result of Kuwaiti freedom, he argues that citizens in some Gulf states are insulted by the public displays of some royal families, while many progressives are exiled or imprisoned.