Skip to main content

Qatar crisis looms over Trump meeting with Kuwait emir

In a quiet visit overshadowed by domestic US political turmoil, Kuwait’s emir visited the White House on Wednesday.
U.S. President Donald Trump meets with the Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah at the White House in Washington, U.S., September 5, 2018. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque - RC1CF8BD1230

US President Donald Trump tried to move past the latest bombshell political book and the pitched battle over his Supreme Court nominee as he hosted Kuwait’s Emir Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah at the White House today.

Even then, the low-key Oval Office meeting, billed as a friendly bridge-building exercise with the tiny oil-rich emirate, could not avoid wading into troubled political waters. Beneath the facade, the emir’s visit was largely about patching up the 15-month embargo by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates against Gulf neighbor Qatar, a crisis that Kuwait has tried to mediate.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.