A (Very) Brief History of the Middle East Part 9

Yesterday was tough. Lebanon is a complicated country, but I think we made it through alright. Hopefully today we’ll find ourselves someplace a little more straightforward…but I doubt it.

You know what I realized though? In all my zeal to get to Lebanon I passed right over Kuwait. I realize I talked about this country quite a bit in the Gulf War posts, but I imagine they deserve their own history. I’ll start with them.

Kuwait: Kuwait was unofficially established in the 18th century when several Arab tribes settled in the area now known as the “Kuwait Bay.” It is a constitutional monarchy that is ruled by the Al-Sabah family. This is now more of a symbolic ruler, as the prime ministers of the various states have more influence in the political forum.

It was ruled by the Ottoman Empire during their reign, and the sheik was considered a provincial sub-governor. When the Ottoman Empire crumbled after WWI the country was declared a British Protectorate.

By the mid 20th century Kuwait became the largest exporter of oil in the Persian Gulf. This influx of wealth allowed them to become the first Gulf state to declare independence in 1961. This was opposed by Iraq, which believed it had a rightful claim to Kuwait. Iraq threatened to invade, but were dispelled by British forces.

During the Iran-Iraq War Kuwait paid Iraq to protect it from Iran. This further encouraged Saddam Hussein and Iraq in its claim on the country. Kuwait was invaded and annexed by Iraq in August of 1990. We know the rest.

Oman: First settled by Yemeni tribes in the 7th century, Oman experienced a series of occupations through the years, first by Portugal, then the Ottoman Empire. In 1741 the leader of one of the Yemeni tribes was able to force the Ottomans out, and established the line of Sultans that rules to this day.

In the early 1800s Oman became a powerhouse. Utilizing their strategic positioning on the Indian Ocean and seafaring knowledge learned from the Portuguese, they took control of the coasts of present day Iran and Pakistan and colonized seaports in Kenya and Zanzibar. This “Empire” was eventually brought down peacefully by Great Britain with the use of economic and political maneuvering, and the Omanis retreated to their homeland, eventually becoming a British Protectorate.

In the 1950s there was an uprising by tribesman against the Sultan, a repressive ruler, which was driven back with the help of the British. With British backing the sultan was then overthrown in 1970 and replaced by his son, current ruler Qaboos bin Said Al Said. The country declared its independence from the British a year later.

Qaboos is regarded as a benevolent leader, and the country has been stable and peaceful during his reign. It does not get involved in the regional conflicts that plague so much of the Middle East, though it does allow the U.S. to maintain military bases and was used as a launching point for bombing raids against Iraq in the Gulf War.


I must have given myself some good karma through positive thinking, because that was much easier than yesterday. I salute you, Kuwait and Oman, for being politically and economically stable, peaceful, and rational in the face of so much violence and strife. I believe you can provide a positive model for the Middle East of how to live peacefully with neighbors and utilize abundant natural resources for the good of the country. Kudos. Back tomorrow.

Thanks for reading.