Kuwait Braces for Prolonged Conflict, Drawing on Lessons of Past Invasions
Kuwait City, Kuwait — Six months into the conflict between Iran and US-led forces, Kuwait finds itself once again on the front lines of a regional war. The scorched facade of Kuwait Petroleum Corp.'s waterfront headquarters, hit by a drone strike in April, stands as a stark reminder of the turmoil that has engulfed the Gulf.
Despite the attack, the company relocated its operations 40 kilometers south and continued its business. By late July, it had signed a $16 billion pipeline deal with North American firms — the largest foreign direct investment in Kuwait's history. This resilience reflects a broader national mood: Kuwaitis are determined to keep their economy running and maintain a sense of unity in the face of external threats.
For Kuwait, this conflict is the latest chapter in a long history of navigating regional instability. The country marks the 36th anniversary of its invasion by Iraqi forces in 1990, an event that reshaped its national identity. The wounds of that occupation — including 308 missing persons and unresolved maritime borders with both Iran and Iraq — remain fresh for many.
Since the US and Israel first struck Iran in late February, Kuwait has faced retaliatory missile and drone attacks from Iran and its proxies. According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies, Kuwait was the second most targeted Arab state in the early weeks of the war, after the UAE. The attacks have prompted swift grassroots responses: residents donated blood, stocked food and water, and schools shifted to online learning.
The government secured oil exports, keeping production flowing to power electricity and desalination plants. This stands in contrast to the 1991 Gulf War, when retreating Iraqi forces set fire to over 600 oil wells and plunged the country into darkness.
Historians say Kuwait's response is shaped by its history of resisting larger neighbors. Bader Al-Saif, a historian at Kuwait University and associate fellow at Chatham House, notes that the country has long had to manage external threats from more powerful forces. The trauma of the Iraqi invasion intensified this sense of vigilance, he says, adding that unresolved issues with both Iran and Iraq continue to color Kuwait's outlook.
Kuwait's alliance with the United States has been both a guarantee of security and a source of vulnerability. US military bases in Kuwait were used as launchpads for the 2003 invasion of Iraq, exposing the country to retaliatory attacks. Since the current war began, two US military camps and multiple Kuwaiti airbases have been targeted.
Yet Kuwaitis often cite their history of resistance as a source of strength. During the 1990-91 occupation, a domestic movement emerged, carrying out sabotage, civil disobedience, and underground intelligence work. They issued fake IDs to shelter Westerners from Iraqi forces. This spirit of defiance is still visible today, from bustling airport terminals to public displays of solidarity.
As the conflict drags on with no lasting peace deal in sight, Kuwait appears prepared for a long struggle. The country's leaders and citizens are focused on maintaining normalcy, preserving economic stability, and weathering the storm. For a nation that has been overrun, occupied, and bombed before, this latest test is seen as part of its ongoing fight for independence and resilience.
