Once its saviour, US puts Kuwait in Iran's crosshairs

KUWAIT CITY, Aug 25 - Remembering the Iraqi tanks that rolled through Kuwait as it faced annihilation, many locals still regard American forces as a crucial asset. Yet now, during the ongoing US-Iran war, some view those same troops as more of a liability, as their presence has placed Kuwait in Tehran's crosshairs. Since February's conflict, Iran and its allies have repeatedly bombarded Kuwait, targeting civilian infrastructure, including water desalination plants and energy installations, as well as American military bases.

Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz has placed the oil-reliant nation in a challenging economic situation. Despite these hardships, a political analyst in Kuwait, Salem Al-Ghanem, remains loyal to the United States. He believes Iran aims to use Gulf states as a battleground to pressure the US to cease its attacks, but he acknowledges that President Trump remains unconcerned.

While Kuwaitis often express unwavering support for their American allies, private discussions reveal increasing skepticism about their presence. Freedom of speech is limited in Kuwait, making open criticism of diplomatic partners difficult. Human Rights Watch reports that several penal code provisions and the cybercrime law criminalize speech deemed insulting to religion, the emir, or foreign leaders.

A Kuwaiti woman, speaking in private, admitted that her country is indeed paying the price for the US forces' presence, but she was hesitant to consider alternatives, recalling how essential it would be to have American troops in the country. Although Gulf states are strengthening regional alliances, Kuwait cannot afford to abandon the US as Iran's confidence grows.

However, Kuwait's dilemma is exacerbated by the fact that pro-American sentiment has taken a hit across the region due to Washington's support for Israel's attacks on Gaza. As the situation unfolds, Kuwait is grappling with balancing its historical relationship with the United States and the growing Iranian threat.