Kuwait gained independence in 1961 and adopted a constitutional monarchy under Emir Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, with a constitution promulgated in 1962 establishing an elected parliament. The discovery and exploitation of oil enabled the rapid development of a welfare state based on redistribution, public education, and public health. The Iraqi invasion of 1990 and the Gulf War of 1991 marked a major turning point, but reconstruction proceeded rapidly thanks to financial resources and international support. Since the 2000s, political life has been marked by recurring tensions between the executive branch and a relatively influential Parliament, making Kuwait a unique case in the Gulf. Faced with economic and regional challenges, the country seeks to diversify its economy while remaining heavily dependent on oil revenues and U.S. security guarantees.

In retaliation for the US-Israeli strikes on Iranian territory in late February 2026, Iran launched a campaign of missile and drone strikes against energy and economic infrastructure in several Gulf states, including Kuwait. The country has called for de-escalation and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, which is essential to its hydrocarbon exports. Without a bypass pipeline, Kuwait has no real alternative to the strait, deepening its dependence on regional maritime security.