Bridging the Gulf Episode 4 — Answering the Five “W”s of Kuwaiti Democracy

Bridging the Gulf Episode 4 — Answering the Five “W”s of Kuwaiti Democracy (Friday, 14 May 2021):

Speaker: Dr Tahani Al Terkait, Kuwait

Did you know that Kuwait began adopting democracy as a system of government since its independence in 1961? By shedding light on the old ruling traditions of Islamic shura (consultation) and joint governing, we trace Kuwait’s path towards a civil and constitutional state. From the reign of a shrewd desert warrior to the Iraqi invasion in 1990, how has the nature of Kuwaiti leadership changed? How harmonious have the cabinet and the parliament been since the beginning of their coexistence? Did you know that Kuwait is regarded as a mediator of the Middle East, much like Norway in Europe? This webinar will also provide an overview of Kuwait’s balanced foreign policy.

___

Dr Tahani Al Terkait is a researcher on politics focusing on Kuwait, the Gulf region and the Middle East. She earned her PhD in political science from Durham University, UK. She defended her thesis in 2017, entitled “The Conceptual and Constitutional Underpinnings of Kuwait’s System of Government”. She is also a member at the London-based Centre of International Studies and Diplomacy (CISD), SOAS, where she received her Master’s degree. Before pursuing higher education, Dr Al Terkait worked for Kuwait’s public sector for 15 years, serving her country as a diplomat and consultant in public diplomacy. She served Kuwait as Kuwait’s first female Press Attaché at the Embassy of Kuwait in Washington DC, USA, from 2001 to 2007. Her academic and professional experiences have shaped her research interests in political reforms, human rights and gender equality in the Arab world.