Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Named Prime Minister of Kuwait

Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah (Kuwait Interior Ministry)
Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah (Kuwait Interior Ministry)
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Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Named Prime Minister of Kuwait

Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah (Kuwait Interior Ministry)
Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah (Kuwait Interior Ministry)

Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah issued a decree on Sunday naming Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf al-Sabah as the prime minister, replacing caretaker premier Sheikh Sabah al-Khalid.

Sheikh Sabah faced a combative parliament amid a feud between the government and elected assembly, prompting him to resign four times since forming his first government in November 2019.

Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah, who took over most of the ruling emir’s duties late last year, signed the decree and asked the new premier to propose a new cabinet for approval.

Once formed, the new cabinet will submit to the Emir the decision to dissolve the National Assembly, in preparation for early elections.

National Assembly Speaker Marzouq al-Ghanim congratulated Sheikh Ahmad for assuming this post, wishing him success and the ability to bear the burdens and the major national responsibility to ensure continued progress.

The government had handed in its resignation on April 5, ahead of a non-cooperation motion against then-prime minister Sheikh Sabah al-Khalid in the National Assembly.

The Crown Prince accepted the resignation on May 10, issuing a decree asking the government to stay on in a caretaker capacity.

Tensions have persisted between the government and parliament since the elections and they peaked during the coronavirus pandemic as Kuwait grappled with various economic and political crises caused by the pandemic and drop in oil prices.

Disputes between the legislative and executive authorities have often obstructed Kuwait's efforts for financial and economic reforms.

On June 22, Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal decided to constitutionally dissolve the National Assembly and called for new general elections, which was widely welcomed by politicians and parliament members.



Washington, Manama Sign Agreement on Peaceful Nuclear Energy Cooperation

US President Donald J. Trump (C-R) meets Bahrain's Prime Minister and Crown Prince Sheikh Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa (C-L) in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 16 July 2025.  EPA/AARON SCHWARTZ / POOL
US President Donald J. Trump (C-R) meets Bahrain's Prime Minister and Crown Prince Sheikh Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa (C-L) in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 16 July 2025. EPA/AARON SCHWARTZ / POOL
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Washington, Manama Sign Agreement on Peaceful Nuclear Energy Cooperation

US President Donald J. Trump (C-R) meets Bahrain's Prime Minister and Crown Prince Sheikh Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa (C-L) in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 16 July 2025.  EPA/AARON SCHWARTZ / POOL
US President Donald J. Trump (C-R) meets Bahrain's Prime Minister and Crown Prince Sheikh Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa (C-L) in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 16 July 2025. EPA/AARON SCHWARTZ / POOL

The US and Bahrain on Wednesday signed a cooperation agreement in the field of peaceful nuclear energy shortly before a meeting in the White House between US President Donald Trump and Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Bahraini Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

“This is an important signing,” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said at the signing ceremony with his Bahraini counterpart, Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani.

He added: “It serves as the first step towards a deeper civil nuclear cooperation – an example that the United States is prepared to be a partner with any nation on Earth that wants to pursue a civil nuclear program that clearly is not geared towards weaponization or threatening the security of their neighbors.”

Rubio did not mention by name Iran, which Israel and Washington accuse of seeking nuclear weapons.

“And this is a – no one better to do it with than such a strong partner that we’ve been working with for so long. This only strengthens our relationship,” Rubio said.

Later at a meeting with Trump, Bahrain's Crown Prince announced plans to invest more than $17 billion in the United States.

“We're very happy to be announcing $17 billion worth of deals that are coming to the United States,” said Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. He then joked with journalists at the White House, saying, “And this is real. These aren't fake deals.”

Asked whether Iran should return to the negotiating table with the US over its nuclear program, the Crown Prince said: “The ball is in their court. They are the ones who stand to benefit from a negotiation.”