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Kuwait

April 17, 2026

Kuwait City 1:53 am

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Ahmed Shihab‑Eldin attend "Palestine 36" red carpet during the Doha Film Festival 2025 on November 24, 2025 in Doha, Qatar.

Kuwait detains American journalist Ahmed Shihab-Eldin: What to know

Kuwaiti authorities have been cracking down on alleged violators of the country's media law during the Iran war.

picture of Qatar Energy's operating facilities on March 3, 2026, in Ras Laffan Industrial City, Qatar.

Analysis

How fast can Gulf energy production rebound after US-Iran ceasefire?

The truce could pave the way for lost oil and LNG supplies to flow back to global markets, but restoring Gulf energy production to normal levels could take months, if not longer.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Smoke rises from an area of Kuwait's international airport after a reported drone strike on April 1, 2026. Kuwait's civil aviation authority said that the Gulf state's international airport had come under an Iranian drone attack that led to "a large fire" at a fuel depot. (Photo by AFP via Getty Images) / Kuwait OUT / KUWAIT OUT

Iran strikes Gulf again, hitting Kuwait refinery as UAE shuts gas hub

Kuwait’s desalination plant and key refinery have been damaged, and the UAE has suspended Habshan operations after debris from intercepted missiles caused a fire.

Exhaust emits from the engine of a passenger jet as it prepares for take off at Heathrow Airport on March 30, 2006, in London, England.

Jet fuel squeeze exposes Europe’s reliance on Middle East supply

Lawmakers on the continent have been told to make "timely preparations in anticipation of a potentially prolonged disruption" in energy flows from the region.

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Analysis

Oil-rich Gulf states could face power crunch as Iran war hits energy security

A general view of South Pars gas field facilities in the southern Iranian port town of Assaluyeh, on the Gulf, Nov. 19, 2015.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Kuwait arrests 6 over alleged Hezbollah plot to assassinate leaders

Mourners wave Hezbollah flags during the funeral ceremony of top Hezbollah chief Haytham Ali Tabatabai and other members killed in an Israeli strike in Beirut's southern suburbs on November 24, 2025.

Analysis

Iran war drives Turkey-Gulf defense alignment, but not alliance

United Arab Emirates army helicopters fly from the Burj al Arab hotel (R) toward Burj Khalifa, Dubai, Jan. 16, 2026.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

US fast-tracks $16.5B arms sales to UAE, Jordan, Kuwait amid Iran attacks

Uae

Jonathan Fenton-Harvey

In London, reporting on North Africa and Gulf politics

Karen Young

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional energy

BORIS HORVAT/AFP via Getty Images

Middle East internet slows after Red Sea cables cut: What to know

Yemen's internationally recognized government accused the Houthi rebels of planning to attack underwater cables in the Red Sea in February 2024.

FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Gulf rail boom rumbles on as 2030 deadline for regional network nears

From 100 million metro riders in Riyadh to a new Oman-UAE railway, Gulf states are pouring money into train transport — but plans for a regional rail network are still taking shape.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

A man watches stock movements on a display at the Dubai Financial Market stock exchange, United Arab Emirates, April 12, 2022.

Analysis

Middle East demand for US debt soars to $400B in turbulent year

The first half of 2025 saw regional investors boost holdings of US Treasuries to record levels, led by the UAE, Israel and Kuwait, as markets digested turbulence from President Trump's trade agenda.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

From Kuwait to Turkey, why are countries cracking down on Roblox?

The fast-growing gaming platform has been banned in countries including China, Iran, Oman, Qatar, and Turkey.

purple lambos

Saudi Ferrari among $9.4M in cars seized during London 'supercar season'

Dozens of supercars were seized by London police last week during a popular time for the world's wealthy vehicle owners to tour the city.

Kuwaits Deputy Defense Minister Sheikh Abdullah Meshal AlSabah (3rd from L) at an event hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Kuwait City, July 29, 2025.

Analysis

As Kuwait modernizes military, will China rival US as key defense partner?

Kuwait and China are finalizing a joint ammunition factory as the Gulf state maintains its longstanding US security alliance.

Sabena Siddiqui

By Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

The sun sets behind overhead power lines in Kuwait City as the Kuwaiti Ministry of Electricity requested that citizens ration their electricity usage at peak times due to outages, on June 19, 2024.

Analysis

Kuwait's heatwaves, high demand strain fragile power grid: What to know

Amid rising temperatures and increasing demand, Kuwait's energy crisis is forcing authorities to seek alternatives and consider reforms.

Sebastian Castelier

By Sebastian Castelier

In Dubai, reporting on regional business

A photo taken on August 7, 2019, shows the French anti-submarine frigate FREMM Auvergne (R) and the US Navy USS Donald Cook class guided missile destroyer (2R) and the Greek HS Aigaion frigate (2L) during an exercise how simulate a humanitarian response to a powerful earthquake and significant movement of IDF vessels and foreign vessels in the Mediterranean sea.

Analysis

UAE’s EDGE inks record $2.45B naval deal with Kuwait, signaling Gulf defense shift

The company’s largest naval export to date signals a milestone in intra-Gulf defense cooperation and showcases the UAE’s growing role as a regional arms exporter.

Francesco Schiavi

By Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

A picture taken on Feb. 21, 2020 shows M1 Abrams Fighting tanks of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, as US military equipment arrives to the Port of Bremerhaven the United States for the Defender 2020 international military exercises.

US green-lights $325 million in sustainment for Kuwait’s M1 Abrams tanks

The Trump administration has notified Congress of a $325 million arms sale to Kuwait for tank maintenance, part of broader efforts to strengthen Gulf defense ties and streamline US arms transfers.

A worker is seen at the Gathering Center 15 (GC 15) oil facility 28 March 2005 in the northern Al-Rawdhatain oilfield, 80 Kms from Kuwait City.

Kuwait renews Shell deal as it seeks to hit 4-million-bpd capacity target

Kuwait, which has one of the lowest costs of production in the world, has lagged behind its regional peers in expanding oil production capacity.

oil field

After steep fall, oil prices slightly recover following Trump tariff pause

Over the last week, oil prices have plummeted amid the escalating trade war between the United States and China.

US Army Specialist Brandon Sapikowski checks a Patriot Missile Launch Station, on Feb. 4, 2003, at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.

US approves $400M deal to upgrade Kuwait’s Patriot air defenses

The planned recertification marks Washington’s latest show of military support for Gulf Arab states, as the US prepares for a potential confrontation with Iran over its nuclear enrichment program.