US and Kuwaiti foreign officials to meet in Washington DC

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Ahmed Nasser al-Mohamed al-Sabah will meet today in Washington, DC.

The meeting marks the culmination of the fourth US-Kuwait Strategic Dialogue Forum (SDF), which began virtually on November 9. During the last two weeks, US and Kuwaiti representatives discussed topics ranging from human rights and education to security and defence.

The 2019 SDF focused on finding a solution to the ongoing rift in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) that has seen Qatar cut off from its neighbours over its alleged support for pro-Iran militant groups. Kuwait has led efforts to peacefully resolve the crisis, so expect further coordination between Kuwait City and Washington on the issue. While additional GCC members would be needed to reach a conclusion, Kuwait hopes to lay the groundwork for future reconciliation.

A renewed joint declaration of security commitments will likely also be announced, which may include new arms sales to Kuwait. Kuwait and the US are committed to a defence partnership and counter-terrorism in the region. After joint exercises between US and GCC troops were held in Kuwait earlier this year, this bond is likely to be reinforced.