Kuwait: The Saudis' Key Ally at a Difficult Time

There are reports that Kuwait is the frontrunner to fill the U.N. Security Council seat rejected by Saudi Arabia. If true, it would benefit Riyadh and could in fact be part of Saudi Arabia's strategy. The Saudis rejected the seat Oct. 18 as part of their effort to pursue a more assertive foreign policy. The geopolitical interests of Kuwait, an ally of Saudi Arabia for more than a century, align with those of the Saudis. However, Kuwait will take a softer stance while the Saudi kingdom becomes more hawkish.