Kuwait

Economic reform is key to the future of a region which needs to diversify away from dependency on oil, or a reliance on international funding. There has been both resistance and progress so far.

Kuwait needs to shrink its public sector and use privatisation to cut its dependence on oil revenue. Reform will only become more difficult as the world moves to alternative energy.

Al Majalla takes a look at Iraqi Premier Abd al-Karim Qasim's attempt to invade Kuwait in 1961 and explains why Saddam felt that he could succeed where Qasim failed

The US knows that Gulf states have more options in a multipolar world and it accepts their building economic relations with a dynamic China. But it also has a limit. Al Majalla explains.

Pulling from its rich archives, an Al Majalla report reveals that Kuwaiti officials did not expect a full-scale invasion and, as such, did not have the necessary defensive measures in place.

Al Majalla publishes the secret messages between the leaders with Arafat playing the role of the go-between

Secret documents obtained by Al Majalla reveal that Saddam tried to form a four-way coalition with Jordan, Yemen and Egypt while reaching out to Iran through Arafat.

The human cost and development disasters caused by the August invasion in 1990 remain after Kuwait became hooked on high public spending to recover. Financial and economic reform is needed.

Thirty-three years ago, Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait. A lot has changed since then, but the profound impact of this historic sin continues to reverberate in Iraq, the region, and the world.

As Gulf states continue to draw inspiration from Kuwait's political system, adopting that which works and avoiding what doesn't, Kuwait can learn from its neighbours' assertiveness and development