Country Handbook This handbook provides basic reference information on Kuwait, including its , history, government, military forces, and communications and trans- portation networks. This information is intended to familiarize military per­sonnel with local customs and knowledge to assist them during their assignment to Kuwait. The Marine Corps Intel­ligence Activity is the community coordinator for the Country Hand­book Program. This product reflects the coordinated U.S. Defense Intelligence Community position on Kuwait. Dissemination and use of this publication is restricted to official military and government personnel from the of America, , Canada, , NATO member countries, and other countries as required and designated for support of coalition operations. The photos and text reproduced herein have been extracted solely for research, comment, and information reporting, and are intended for fair use by designated personnel in their official duties, including local reproduction for training. Further dissemination of copyrighted material contained in this docu­ment, to include excerpts and graphics, is strictly prohibited under 17, U.S. Code.

Contents KEY FACTS ...... 1 U.S. MISSION ...... 2 U.S. Embassy ...... 2 General Embassy Information ...... 2 U.S. Consulate ...... 3 U.S. Military Facilities ...... 3 Travel Advisories ...... 4 Entry Requirements ...... 4 Passport/Visa ...... 4 Customs Restrictions ...... 5 Immunization Requirements ...... 6 GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE ...... 6 Geography ...... 6 Land Statistics ...... 6 Boundaries ...... 7 Bodies of Water ...... 8 Topography ...... 8 Environment ...... 11 Climate ...... 12 Climatic Patterns ...... 12 Phenomena ...... 15 TRANSPORTATION and Communication ...... 15 Transportation ...... 15 Roads ...... 15 Rail ...... 19 Air ...... 20 Maritime ...... 21

iii Contents (Continued)

Communication ...... 24 Radio and Television ...... 24 Telecommunication ...... 26 Internet ...... 27 Newspapers and Magazines ...... 28 Postal Service ...... 29 Satellites ...... 30 CULTURE ...... 31 Statistics ...... 31 Population Patterns ...... 31 Ethnic Density ...... 32 Society ...... 32 People ...... 35 Ethnic Groups ...... 37 Family ...... 40 Roles of Men and Women ...... 41 Education and ...... 43 Religion ...... 44 Recreation ...... 47 Sports ...... 47 Leisure ...... 47 Customs and Courtesies ...... 48 Gestures ...... 48 Greetings ...... 49 Clothing ...... 50 Dining Etiquette ...... 50 Shopping ...... 51 Language ...... 51 Cultural Considerations ...... 51

iv Contents (Continued)

Medical Assessment ...... 52 Disease Risks to Deployed Personnel ...... 52 Medical Capabilities ...... 54 Primary Medical Facilities ...... 55 HISTORY ...... 56 Chronology ...... 60 GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS ...... 61 Government ...... 61 National Level ...... 62 Local Level ...... 66 Key Government Officials ...... 66 Political Parties ...... 68 Foreign Relations ...... 69 International Organizations ...... 73 ECONOMY ...... 74 Economic Statistics ...... 75 Banking Services ...... 76 Resources ...... 76 THREAT ...... 83 Crime ...... 83 Drug Trafficking ...... 84 Major Intelligence Services ...... 85 ARMED FORCES ...... 85 Army ...... 85 Mission ...... 85 Organization ...... 86 Personnel ...... 87 Training ...... 87 Disposition ...... 89

v Contents (Continued)

Equipment ...... 89 Main Weapon Systems ...... 90 Air Force ...... 91 Mission ...... 91 Organization ...... 91 Personnel ...... 91 Equipment ...... 91 Navy ...... 93 Mission ...... 93 Organization ...... 93 Personnel ...... 93 Equipment ...... 94 Coastal Defense ...... 95 Paramilitary ...... 95