Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah has been appointed as Kuwait’s new emir following the passing of his brother, Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah, at the age of 86.
At the age of 83, Sheikh Meshal, who has spent much of his career contributing to Kuwait’s security and defense apparatus, was brought into the public eye three years ago when he assumed the role of crown prince. In November 2021, he assumed many of the duties of the ailing Emir Sheikh Nawaf, further stepping into the limelight.
As Kuwait’s third emir in just over three years, Sheikh Meshal is expected to uphold key foreign policies, including support for Gulf Arab unity, Western alliances, and strong ties with Riyadh. Additionally, he may seek to expand ties with China, especially following Beijing’s role in normalizing relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia in March.
Described as an early riser with a methodical work style, Sheikh Meshal has a strong focus on stability and emphasizes the importance of Kuwait’s relationship with Saudi Arabia. His background is more military-oriented, having served as deputy chief of the National Guard and heading State Security for 13 years.
As the seventh son of former ruler Ahmed Al-Jaber, Sheikh Meshal is part of a lineage that includes three former rulers: Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad, and Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad. He is married with five sons and seven daughters.
Some speculate that Sheikh Meshal may align Kuwait more closely with Riyadh. His initial calls after assuming Sheikh Nawaf’s duties were to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and his first international trip was to Saudi Arabia.
As emir, Sheikh Meshal faces the challenge of managing tensions between the ruling family and critics in the parliament, known for hindering fiscal and economic reform. Kuwait’s legislature holds significant influence, leading to frequent political deadlock, cabinet reshuffles, and dissolutions of parliament.
In 2022, Sheikh Meshal intervened in a government-parliament dispute, dissolving parliament, decreeing new elections, and replacing the prime minister. Despite the annulment of the 2022 elections in March 2023, the subsequent vote led to a rare consensus between parliament and the government, with a majority of lawmakers declaring themselves as “reformists.”