International
The Emir of Kuwait dissolves Parliament and suspends some clauses of the Constitution
The Emir of Kuwait, Mishal al Ahmad al Sabah, announced the dissolution of his country’s Parliament, the only one democratically elected in an Arab monarchy of the Persian Gulf, and the suspension of “some clauses of the Constitution” to – he assured – “save the higher interests of the country.”
In a televised speech, the eight-year-old Emir of Kuwait said that he issued a decree with “this difficult decision” that will be in force for “a period not exceeding four years,” during which the head of state himself and the prime minister “will assume the powers delegated to the National Assembly” or Parliament.
He attributed his decision to the “intromission” of “some” deputies in the powers of the head of government “and even of the emir,” in the context of the constant confrontation between the Executive and Legislative powers of the rich country of the Gulf.
“We do not allow democracy to be exploited to destroy the country,” Al Sabah warned in his speech, also reproduced by the official Kuwaiti news agency, KUNA.
“Some (deputies) even interfere in the powers of the emir and his election of his crown prince, forgetting that it is an explicit constitutional right,” of the head of state, he said.
He also denounced the “intromission” of “some” in the election of ministers for the formation of a Government of the country “forgetting, out of ignorance or deliberately, that electing the prime minister and ministers is a constitutional right of the head of state” in which “no one can interfere.”
The decision comes after the emir appointed a member of the ruling family, Sheikh Ahmad al Sabah, as prime minister, on April 15, and commissioned him to form a new Executive, the second cabinet since the monarch himself took power in December.
The previous Government, which lasted a few months, resigned after the parliamentary elections held on April 4.
Mishal al Sabah also decided on April 21 to transfer his powers “during his absence” to the then newly appointed prime minister, a measure that, he said, will remain in force until the emir, who took power on December 20, after the death of his stepbrother, Nawaf al Ahmed, appoints a crown prince.
Kuwait has historically been marked by severe disagreements and constant tensions between the Executive and Legislative powers, which in recent years has been largely dominated by Islamists.
That ongoing confrontation led the new emir to dissolve the chamber in February after implicitly accusing some parliamentarians of “violation of constitutional principles” by making “deliberate use of offensive and uncontrolled expressions.”
During the mandate of the previous emir (2020-2023), the country had to form seven governments due to the continuous confrontation between Parliament and the Executive, characterized by mutual accusations of corruption and nepotism.
“We faced unimaginable and unbearable difficulties, and some people strove to close all the doors through which we tried to enter to overcome our bitter reality, which left us no room for hesitation or delays in making the difficult decision to save this country and ensure its higher interests,” the emir added in the speech.
Kuwait is the only Arab country in the Persian Gulf that has a democratically elected Parliament, which exercises control over the Government. The other states in the area, such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, have advisory councils without legislative powers or control over the Government.
International
German president says trust in U.S. leadership is ‘lost’ amid global tensions
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said on Tuesday that trust between the United States and its Western allies has been “lost,” warning that the damage could persist beyond the presidency of Donald Trump.
“The rupture is very deep, and the loss of trust in U.S. great power policy is significant—not only among its allies, but also, as I observe, globally,” Steinmeier said during a speech in Berlin marking the 75th anniversary of Germany’s Foreign Ministry.
Referring to the future of transatlantic relations, he stated that “there is no return to the situation before January 20, 2025,” the date marking the start of Trump’s second term in the White House.
“Even a future U.S. administration will no longer be able to resume the role of a benevolent hegemon guaranteeing a liberal international order,” added Steinmeier, who previously served as Germany’s foreign minister.
He also criticized the war against Iran, describing it as “contrary to international law” and calling it “a political mistake with serious consequences.”
“This war is avoidable and unnecessary,” he said.
Although the German presidency is largely ceremonial, Steinmeier’s remarks reflect a broader concern within Germany, aligning with the government’s cautious stance while going further in tone.
International
Trump claims talks with Iran as G7 meets to address global tensions
U.S. President Donald Trump said that the United States has held talks with Iran—a claim denied by Tehran—and has temporarily paused his threat to target the country’s electrical infrastructure.
In his first overseas trip since the United States and Israel launched their offensive on February 28, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to address key global issues, including the situation in the Middle East, according to State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott.
Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven will meet in Cernay-la-Ville, close to Versailles, on the outskirts of Paris.
During the meeting, Rubio will hold discussions with his counterparts on “the war between Russia and Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East, and threats to global peace and stability,” Pigott said.
France currently holds the presidency of the G7, whose members also include the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Italy, and Japan.
Although all G7 nations are close allies of the United States, none has offered explicit support for Washington’s military actions against Iran, a stance that has reportedly frustrated Trump.
Last Saturday, G7 foreign ministers called for an “immediate and unconditional end” to Iranian attacks against U.S. allies in the Middle East.
International
Pentagon to deploy 3,000 troops to Persian Gulf as Middle East tensions escalate
The Pentagon is planning to deploy nearly 3,000 troops from the 82nd Airborne Division to the Persian Gulf, according to two senior officials cited Tuesday by Spanish newspaper El País.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah warned it would confront any attempt at occupation following Israel’s announcement that its military will take control of southern Lebanon up to the Litani River, located about 30 kilometers from the border.
In recent hours, the Israel Defense Forces carried out airstrikes on Beirut, while Iran and Hezbollah responded with attacks on Israel, leaving at least six people with minor injuries in Tel Aviv.
The escalation comes as global markets react to renewed instability. The price of oil rose again above $100 per barrel after a brief decline the previous day, following an announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump of a five-day truce on attacks targeting Iran’s energy infrastructure.
Despite the announcement, Iranian authorities reported that two projectiles struck a gas pipeline in Khorramshahr and administrative buildings at a gas facility in Isfahan early Tuesday.
German president says trust in U.S. leadership is ‘lost’ amid global tensions
Trump claims talks with Iran as G7 meets to address global tensions
Pentagon to deploy 3,000 troops to Persian Gulf as Middle East tensions escalate
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