With Kuwait starting to hot up, and many of my Kuwaiti friends and colleagues looking forward already to their well-earned summer vacations, I have found once again that London features highly on their planned travel itineraries. Having lived and worked in many countries the world over, I am constantly struck by the affinity to London felt by a large percentage of the population. There are many reasons for this; and … Read more »Kuwait and London
Freedom of Expression in the Era of Social Media
One thing that I have been continually struck-by during my three years in Kuwait is the increasing ubiquity of the Smartphone. Indeed, someone told me recently that Kuwait has the highest level of Smartphone usage per capita anywhere in the world. A fact I can well believe as I watch my media-savvy Kuwaiti friends at their Diwaniyyas. And of course the ubiquity of the technology goes hand-in-hand with the ubiquity … Read more »Freedom of Expression in the Era of Social Media
The UK: a proud partner for Kuwait
It is with a great sense of honour that I will be accompanying His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jabber Al-Sabah during his State Visit to the UK this week. The destinies of the UK and Kuwait have been entwined since the first British ship dropped its anchor in Kuwait bay in the mid eighteenth century. Our long shared history has seen UK forces coming to the defence of … Read more »The UK: a proud partner for Kuwait
Still Cause for Optimism?
It was with great sadness that I witnessed the violence Sunday night outside Kuwait’s iconic towers. As those who follow my blogs and articles will know, I have often lauded the freedom so intrinsic to Kuwaiti society and the democratic instincts of the Kuwaiti people. As I’m sure all will agree, it is a great shame to see such positivity replaced by violence on the streets. It is not my place … Read more »Still Cause for Optimism?
The Olympic Spectacle
With the media full of reports about the risible film insulting the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH), and the horrific and unjustified response of a violent minority, I wanted to use this opportunity to write something different than the narrative of hatred we have seen over the last week. I would like instead to remember what was a glorious summer for the UK. Our sporting successes – rare enough – started with … Read more »The Olympic Spectacle
Ramadan is indeed Kareem
The article below appeared in Al Qabas in Arabic on Tuesday, 31 July: _____________________________________________________ With Ramadan in full swing, I wanted to use this week’s blog to wish all my Muslim friends and colleagues, in Kuwait and around the world, “Ramadan Kareem”. Many expatriates find living and working in Kuwaiti during Ramadan difficult, particularly in the summer – and not being able to drink in public as temperatures soar to over fifty … Read more »Ramadan is indeed Kareem
Hot Politics, Hotter Weather; Summer in Kuwait
It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to my first foray onto the Foreign Office’s fantastic blogging platform. I have been writing a blog in a Kuwaiti Arabic newspaper, Al Qabas, for almost a year, and felt it was high time it was replicated on the FCO website. I hope that you find the window I will provide into the crazy world of Kuwaiti politics interesting. Many of … Read more »Hot Politics, Hotter Weather; Summer in Kuwait