Dawlat al-Kuwayt

Note: In the wake of continuing public protests and a stalemate in the National Assembly, Sheikh Sabah al-Sabah, the emir of Kuwait, dissolved the assembly on October 7, 2012, and ordered early elections. However, much of the opposition (including Sunni Islamists, liberals, and tribal groups) ultimately called for a boycott of the new poll to protest electoral law changes perceived to favor the government. Consequently, turnout was low for the December 1 balloting, at which progovernment candidates won nearly all the seats. On December 5, the emir reappointed Prime Minister Sheikh Jabir al-Sabah, whose cabinet, named on December 11, contained many incumbents.

Political Status: Constitutional hereditary emirate; independent since June 19, 1961, save for occupation by Iraq from August 2, 1990, to February ...