June 29, 2012

Islamists, U.S. Power and Kuwait

Doug Bandow, American Conservative

AP Photo

Voting in Kuwait is a risk factor for obesity. Outside the polling places candidates offer food and drinks to prospective voters. Unfortunately, the outcome of the most recent legislative election wasn’t as sweet as the refreshments. The opposition won control of parliament with 34 of 50 seats. Islamists took an outright majority: 23 Sunni and four Shi’ite. Liberals won just nine seats. Kuwait is one of the Gulf’s most open societies—not the most competitive of categories, it must be said. Women work, drive, and dress as they wish, despite some discrimination. The media is considered the region’s freest, though journalists are occasionally prosecuted, and the government has caused concern with its new plan to regulate social media.

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