Kuwait Research Papers - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

While the canonical literature on oil wealth suggests that hydrocarbon windfalls encourage repressive despotism, Kuwait provides a case of an oil-rich autocracy governing instead through popular rentierism-that is, through a broad... more

While the canonical literature on oil wealth suggests that hydrocarbon windfalls encourage repressive despotism, Kuwait provides a case of an oil-rich autocracy governing instead through popular rentierism-that is, through a broad coalition of social forces, one that furnishes enduring loyalty from below while constraining abuses of state power from above. This paper provides a theoretically guided explanation for this exceptional outcome. I argue that the Kuwaiti regime's coalitional bargains originated in the pre-oil era, when domestic opposition and geopolitical constrictions compelled it to forge new social alliances at the dawn of modern statehood. This inclusionary strategy mediated the subsequent effect of oil rents, which the regime used to institutionalize its mass base with costly material and symbolic side payments. Such popular incorporation bound large constituent classes to the regime's survival, precluding the need for widespread repression. After 50 years, these coalitional bargains have also proven remarkably resilient, as social actors have continued to endorse the autocratic leadership despite economic crisis and wartime defeat.

كتاب تراجم يتناول حوالي 1000 شخصية كويتية من الرجال والنساء في القديم والحاضر ممن قدموا جهوداً في سبيل رفعة شأن الكويت دون قصد إلى مكانة تاريخية أو شهرة زمانية أو دعاية متعمدة. وقد تم سرد البيانات تحت الشخصيات في ترتيبها الهجائي وفقاً... more

كتاب تراجم يتناول حوالي 1000 شخصية كويتية من الرجال والنساء في القديم والحاضر ممن قدموا جهوداً في سبيل رفعة شأن الكويت دون قصد إلى مكانة تاريخية أو شهرة زمانية أو دعاية متعمدة. وقد تم سرد البيانات تحت الشخصيات في ترتيبها الهجائي وفقاً للأسماء التي عُرف بها أصحابها، مع توفير كشافات تساعد القارئ على الوصول للشخصية بأي صورة من صور اسمه؛ سواء الاسم الطبيعي أو اسم العائلة أو اسم الشهرة...الخ. كما يشتمل الكتاب على ثلاثة ملاحق بأسماء بعض الفئات الهامة في تاريخ الكويت ممن لا تنطبق عليهم منهجية التغطية الشاملة للعلم.

إن المحافظة على المدن القديمة بكل معالمها، من أحياء وبيوت وشوارع وأزقة وأسواق وأسوار وآبار وغيرها، هي أفضل سبل حماية الهوية الوطنية وإثبات وجودها التاريخي والحضري. وللأسف الشديد، فإن معالم مدينة الكويت القديمة، التي تقع داخل سور الكويت... more

إن المحافظة على المدن القديمة بكل معالمها، من أحياء وبيوت وشوارع وأزقة وأسواق وأسوار وآبار وغيرها، هي أفضل سبل حماية الهوية الوطنية وإثبات وجودها التاريخي والحضري. وللأسف الشديد، فإن معالم مدينة الكويت القديمة، التي تقع داخل سور الكويت الثالث الذي تم إنشاؤه سنة 1920م، ومعالم القرى الكويتية، قد أزيلت ضمن سلسلة من عمليات الهدم وإعادة البناء من أجل "تطوير" المدينة وتحديثها. وقد بدأت عملية الهدم وإعادة البناء منذ تصدير النفط وبداية التثمين في أواخر الأربعينيات. وأخذت البيوت الطينية وأقدم المساجد والشوارع والسكك والمراسي (النقع) وسور الكويت بالاختفاء تدريجيا إلى أن ضاعت ولم يعد باقيا من المباني الطينية إلا النز اليسير مما يمكن أن يكون شاهدا على حقبة قديمة عاش الكويتيون في ظلها مكافحين ظروف الحياة القاسية.
ورغم ذلك، فإن الأجيال الحالية والقادمة ممن لم يرَ مدينة الكويت القديمة وقراها، من حقها أن تتعرف على المكان الذي عاش فيه الآباء والأجداد، وتفهم طرق معيشتهم، وما تكبدوه من ضنك العيش والسعي في طلب الرزق، خاصة في مدينة مثل الكويت التي لها جذور تاريخية تمتد لأكثر من ثلاثة قرون، وكانت تتميز بموقعها الجغرافي المطل على الخليج العربي، والذي جعلها ممرا تجاريا هاما بين الشرق والغرب. فمدينة الكويت القديمة راحت ضحية للافتنان بالحداثة والإثراء بعد ظهور النفط. ولسوء تقدير إداري لمصير المدينة، وللأهمية التاريخية والاستراتيجية لها؛ فقد كان من الممكن أن تشكل لدولة الكويت إرثا حضاريا خالدا ومعلما سياحيا مهما يشهد على عراقتها وأصالتها، ويحميها من موجات العولمة وحملات تغيير الهوية التي بدأت تطل برأسها في الوقت الحاضر.
وحرصا من مركز البحوث والدراسات الكويتية على تعويض جزء من تلك الخسارة الفادحة، فقد رأى تشكيل فريق من الباحثين الخبراء في معالم المدينة والقرى القديمة، ليقوموا بمشروع علمي منهجي لاستظهار مدينة الكويت القديمة وقراها وأبرز معالمها من خلال الوثائق الشرعية والسجلات الحكومية القديمة والصور الفوتوغرافية.

Activity concentrations of 238 U, 232 Th and 40 K in raw and waste petroleum materials (Egypt and Kuwait) were measured using gamma ray spectrometer. The average values of 226 Ra, 232 Th and 40 K were 21.1 ± 3.2, 7.6 ± 1.3 and 88.4 ± 8.2... more

Activity concentrations of 238 U, 232 Th and 40 K in raw and waste petroleum materials (Egypt and Kuwait) were measured using gamma ray spectrometer. The average values of 226 Ra, 232 Th and 40 K were 21.1 ± 3.2, 7.6 ± 1.3 and 88.4 ± 8.2 Bq kg −1 for Egyptian samples while for Kuwaiti samples, they were 25.2 ± 3.4, 6.1 ± 2.2 and 67.8 ± 6.4 Bq kg −1 , respectively. All samples had activity less than the exemption level recommended by the International Atomic Energy Agency. Moreover, radiological indices of radium equivalent, external, internal, alpha and gamma indices and radiation dose as well were calculated and their values were lower than the recommended regulatory limits. Thus, radiation exposure to petroleum materials did not present a significant radiological hazard.

In April 2013 we conducted a survey on Islamic veiling at the Gulf University for Science and Technology (GUST) in Kuwait. The purpose of the survey was to establish reasons for veiling within the complex society of Kuwait and, in... more

In April 2013 we conducted a survey on Islamic veiling at the Gulf University for Science and Technology (GUST) in Kuwait. The purpose of the survey was to establish reasons for veiling within the complex society of Kuwait and, in particular, to view the veil through the prism of recent international developments that have transformed veiling, at least partially, into a fashion phenomenon. International research has shown that in many Muslim and nonMuslim countries the veil is no longer necessarily a traditional item but is influenced by fashion and other contemporary phenomena. Such research has been undertaken since the late 1990s in several countries such as Egypt, Iran, the USA, the Netherlands, France, and Turkey (Gökariksel and Anna Secor 2012; Hoodfar, Homa. 2001; Karim 2006; Killian 2003; Laborde 2006; MacLeod 1993; Mir-Hosseini 2007; Nieukerk 2008; Sandikci and Ger 2010; Williams and Vashi 2007; Zuhur, Sherifa. 1992; Williams 1979). In North America, Williams and Vashi obse...

The 1999 decree by Kuwait’s emir granting women electoral rights, and its subsequent parliamentary rejection, is more than just an instance of women’s oppression in action. It also demonstrates a potential paradox between two axes of... more

The 1999 decree by Kuwait’s emir granting women electoral rights, and its subsequent parliamentary rejection, is more than just an instance of women’s oppression in action. It also demonstrates a potential paradox between two axes of
democratization: liberalization, the existence of a sphere of meaningful public contestation, and participation, that the right to participate in that sphere is extended to all. In Kuwait, 1999 represents an instance where those two axes were in direct competition. This article explores the 1999 enfranchisement as a way of understanding this democratic paradox and then follows these issues through the successful 2005 enfranchisement and the election of female Assembly members in 2007 and in the 2012, post-Arab Spring elections.

Chemical analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and semivolatiles (SVs), including pesticides, was performed on 623 and 568 samples, respectively, of household drinking water, as well as on 113 samples from 71 brands of bottled... more

Chemical analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and semivolatiles (SVs), including pesticides, was performed on 623 and 568 samples, respectively, of household drinking water, as well as on 113 samples from 71 brands of bottled water available in Kuwaiti markets. The analysis was performed according to United States Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA) Methods 524.2 and 525.2. Nine VOCs and eight SVs were found in household water. Furthermore, between one and seven of 12 VOCs were detected in 93% of the bottled water brands. All bottled waters were found to be completely free of SVs. Styrene was the main pollutant found in all brands packaged in polystyrene containers of sizes 200-mL and 250-mL, with levels generally higher than the WHO guideline value of 20 microg/L. The levels of styrene, toluene, ethyl benzene and xylenes were found to increase with storage time, which indicates that these VOCs were migrating from the container material. No effect was detected due to changes in the storage temperature. All detected VOCs and SVs in household and bottled waters, except styrene, were found at concentrations much lower than those established as safe by WHO guidelines and US-EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs), respectively.

The site of Kharaib el-Desht on Failaka Island, Kuwait, was explored by an archaeological Kuwaiti–Polish team for the first time in 2013. The project included a survey and underwater archaeological research. Preliminary results indicate a... more

The site of Kharaib el-Desht on Failaka Island, Kuwait, was explored by an archaeological Kuwaiti–Polish team for the first time in 2013. The project included a survey and underwater archaeological research. Preliminary results indicate a dating of the site to the late Islamic period. Pottery collected from the survey of the site and from the excavations has been studied in a sepearate appendix to this report. As for the underwater and waterfront archaeology project, the main objective was to locate and describe seashore archaeological sites, provide documentary evidence and manage proper preservation of the discoveries in order to further educational opportunities.

Pardis Mahdavi’s Crossing the Gulf is based on ethnographic fieldwork in the Arabian Gulf that investigated immobilities and mobilities as well as familial love in the lives of migrant workers. Although her data concentrate mainly on... more

Pardis Mahdavi’s Crossing the Gulf is based on ethnographic fieldwork in the Arabian Gulf that investigated immobilities and mobilities as well as familial love in the lives of migrant workers. Although her data concentrate mainly on Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), her arguments are relevant to other countries in the area with a signifi- cant presence of domestic workers. The book offers a deeply original reading of migration and intimacy.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of mortality worldwide as well as in Kuwait. People with diabetes have two to five times greater risk of developing CVD as compared with non-diabetic individuals. To date, little... more

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of mortality worldwide as well as in Kuwait. People with diabetes have two to five times greater risk of developing CVD as compared with non-diabetic individuals. To date, little information exists on the prevalence and characteristics of cardiovascular risk factors in Kuwait. The objective of this survey was to address the growing burden of diabetes and related cardiovascular risk factors, and to estimate, for the first time, the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in the State of Kuwait. The study was carried out using the World Health Organization (WHO) STEPwise approach for surveillance of non-communicable disease risk factors. This study represents a national survey for Kuwaiti nationals aged between 20 and 65 years. All participants were involved in an interview for gathering sociodemographic information, underwent focused physical examination and donated a blood sample for the study-specific laboratory investigations. A total of 1970 subjects, with a mean age of 48.9 ± 10.5, were screened. The prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors was as follows: diabetes 17.9%, dyslipidaemia 70.3%, hypertension 25.3% and obesity 48.2%. Over 62% had a sedentary lifestyle, and 17.8% were smokers. The prevalence of diabetes and dyslipidaemia increased with age and body mass index. Diabetes was also significantly associated with age above 40 years (OR = 10.5), family history of diabetes (OR = 2.79), hypertension (OR = 2.22), obesity (OR = 2.87) and lower literacy (OR = 4.23). This study found that advancing age (≥ 40 years), diabetes mellitus, obesity, positive family history of diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidaemia are significant risk factors for developing CVD in Kuwait as in other parts of the world. Understanding these factors allows for preventive measures to be taken for Kuwaiti population.

A new bacterial disease of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) "Bacterial Pink Rot of Inflorescence" was found in a farmer's palm plantation in Kuwait. The symptoms of this disease were dark brown spots on the spathe cover.... more

A new bacterial disease of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) "Bacterial Pink Rot of Inflorescence" was found in a farmer's palm plantation in Kuwait. The symptoms of this disease were dark brown spots on the spathe cover. Inside these spadices affected flowers, ...

The current paper intends to draw a picture of numerous compelling viewpoints of the Kuwaiti community, relying on folk tales. The research is in line with the theoretical and epistemological questions that are cornerstones of researching... more

The current paper intends to draw a picture of numerous compelling viewpoints of the Kuwaiti community, relying on folk tales. The research is in line with the theoretical and epistemological questions that are cornerstones of researching folk narratives.

Oil has seriously impacted the institutional development of the state in the Arabian Peninsula. More specifically, the sudden and unprecedented acquisition of massive oil revenues resulted in the freezing of the state’s formal and... more

Oil has seriously impacted the institutional development of the state in the Arabian Peninsula. More specifically, the sudden and unprecedented acquisition of massive oil revenues resulted in the freezing of the state’s formal and informal institutions, at the point at which petrodollars were injected into the state’s coffers. From then on, state leaders were able to
deploy the state’s wealth to dictate the pace and direction of institutional change. Over time, any institutional change has been directed towards enhancing regime security, and the pace of change has been calculated and deliberately slow. Any political opening has been dictated by the logic of state power maximization (in relation to society). At the same time, partly to ensure its popular legitimacy and partly through the vision of its leaders, the state has deployed its massive wealth both to foster rapid economic and infrastructural development, and to enhance the living standards of its citizens. In other words, whereas oil may have stunted institutional development –– i.e., an institution’s curse –– it has been an economic blessing.

This work is written by Matthew Gray. Rentier state theory (RST), which seeks to explain the impacts of external payments—or rents—on state-society relations and governance, has been in wide usage for over two decades, and is still... more

This work is written by Matthew Gray.
Rentier state theory (RST), which seeks to explain the impacts of external payments—or rents—on state-society relations and governance, has been in wide usage for over two decades, and is still routinely cited by scholars writing on the Gulf or other parts of the world. Its tenets are widely—if by no means unanimously— accepted, and retain a strong validity at the broader level. However, RST has not adapted enough to explain the dramatic changes in the political economies of the Gulf in the past two decades or so, including the responses of Dubai, Bahrain, and more recently Qatar and Abu Dhabi, to globalization, new technologies, freer trade and investments, social changes, and development imperatives. It is argued here that a new phase of RST—“late rentierism”—should be applied to the wealthy Arab Gulf states. The case for late rentierism is made with an emphasis on the shortcomings or oversimplifications of other rentier approaches. This study also describes and explains late rentierism through a discussion and elucidation of its major features and characteristics, including how these vary, or not, from those of other rentier explanations.

Published a chapter as: [Al-Shammari, Z. (2010). Teacher Education in Kuwait. (Two Volumes of Book: English & Greek editions). In K. Karras, G.Mavroides & CC Wolhuter (Eds.). International Handbook of Teachers Education Worldwide:... more

Published a chapter as: [Al-Shammari, Z. (2010). Teacher Education in Kuwait. (Two Volumes of Book: English & Greek editions). In K. Karras, G.Mavroides & CC Wolhuter (Eds.). International Handbook of Teachers Education Worldwide: Training, Issues and Challenges for Teachers Profession. Nicosia: University of Nicosia Press and UNESCO Chair of Education, University of Cyprus. ISBN: for the set: 978-960-459-088-9, Volume 1: 978-960-459-089-6, and Volume 2: 978-960-459-090-2].

From the 1950s to the 1980s, Kuwait's homes-to-buy programs had far reaching consequences on residential planning. They established the single-family house in the suburb as the standard for " modern " living. Unlicensed transformative... more

From the 1950s to the 1980s, Kuwait's homes-to-buy programs had far reaching consequences on residential planning. They established the single-family house in the suburb as the standard for " modern " living. Unlicensed transformative practices enabled customization of state built homes, while housing benefits helped Kuwaitis construct their dream house. Thus, collective models for living, such as the Al-Sawaber project, that do not support these standards have been publicly resisted. As the only built medium density housing in Kuwait City, it marked a shift in residential typology from single-family units in the suburbs to collective living in the city. Today it is under threat of demolition and has failed to establish the apartment as a suitable model for the Kuwaiti family. The paper offers another reading on the " modern " house and the processes that lead to the normalization of one form of housing consumption over another. It also proposes adaptive reuse strategies to repurpose the existing building stock, illustrating the ways in which these practices can be agents in reshaping the history of modern housing, while providing a more sustainable and affordable approach to the problem of habitat.

This article presents rarely seen glimpses into life in the barracks of the Iraqi Army during the Gulf War (1990–91). We analyse fifteen diaries of Iraqi soldiers found in the Kuwait Dataset of the Iraqi Ba'th Party Archives, which was... more

This article presents rarely seen glimpses into life in the barracks of the Iraqi Army during the Gulf War (1990–91). We analyse fifteen diaries of Iraqi soldiers found in the Kuwait Dataset of the Iraqi Ba'th Party Archives, which was first opened to researchers in July 2015. These diaries shed new light on the mind-sets, ideological frameworks, morale and daily lives of Iraqi rank-and-file soldiers. We ask the following questions: did Iraqi soldiers support the invasion and occupation of Kuwait and accept Saddam Hussein's rationales for the war? How did Iraqi soldiers view the United States and its coalition partners? These diaries also provide clues about why so many retreating soldiers rose up against Saddam in country-wide protests one week after Iraq's defeat in the war. Although diaries from the US Civil War and the First and Second World Wars have been thoroughly examined by historians and literary scholars, few diaries of soldiers from the modern Arab world have been studied. This article fills an important gap in knowledge about the experiences of soldiers in modern authoritarian regimes and about the Gulf War. (Preview Only)

To study the impact of a novel comprehensive eLearning approach in delivering diabetes related education program that includes knowledge and sets of practices to the school personnel in Kuwait to enable them to provide a supportive... more

To study the impact of a novel comprehensive eLearning approach in delivering diabetes related education program that includes knowledge and sets of practices to the school personnel in Kuwait to enable them to provide a supportive environment for students with diabetes. The program was designed with three components namely; knowledge, skills and recommendations. The diabetes knowledge was delivered through an interactive eLearning program, the effectiveness of which was assessed using diabetes knowledge questionnaires which were deployed pre- and post-course delivery. Additionally, the participants' knowledge retention and confidence in caring for a student with diabetes were evaluated at 6 or 12 months post-intervention. A total of 124 public schools' personnel participated in the program. Post e-Learning delivery, diabetes knowledge increased significantly from baseline (p < 0.0001) and knowledge was retained over 6 and 12 months. Average of overall confidence scores i...

Food has an identity value. Food preferences are inextricably linked to the social structure, geography and history of a culture, and studying food habits involves an exploration of the entanglements of the biological and the cultural,... more

Food has an identity value. Food preferences are inextricably linked to the social structure, geography and history of a culture, and studying food habits involves an exploration of the entanglements of the biological and the cultural, the individual and the social, the material and the symbolic, and cultures local and global. The food choices people make are also performative expressions of identity and belongings, and when a comprehensive new diet appears, it brings with it the possibility of reshaping identities in novel ways. How the diet of veganism has been introduced in Kuwait, the new values for identity that have been created through it for young people, and how vegan identities are reconciled with prevalent social, cultural, and religious norms in everyday life, is the focus of this chapter.

After the discovery of oil in Kuwait in 1940, a tabula rasa of the historic city centre made place for modernist buildings and structures. However, the replacement of the original built fabric inhabited by fishermen and functioning as... more

After the discovery of oil in Kuwait in 1940, a tabula rasa of the historic city centre made place for modernist buildings and structures. However, the replacement of the original built fabric inhabited by fishermen and functioning as trade route from the Persian Gulf to Aleppo, was seen as an historical and socio-cultural loss; the same is happening today. In this light, the paper addresses the current modernization process of the city of Kuwait, which is resulting in the disappearance of modernist housing all over the city, in particular the ‘Al Sawaber’ housing complex. The first part of the paper presents a brief history of the various planning processes Kuwait went through. The emerging modern state embraced the 1960s utopian movement. And therefore, renowned members of TEAM X were invited to rethink the city of Kuwait. The second part zooms in on the extraordinary case of the ‘Al Sawaber’ housing complex; constructed in a period of modernist experimentation. Nowadays ‘Al Sawaber’ is being demolished, like many other modernist constructions in the city, ‘to make the Kuwait’s future regeneration possible’. Questions are raised about the arguments pro-demolition. In conclusion, we explore alternative strategies for urban renewal and adaptive reuse of the ‘Al Sawaber’ project. The analysis of the modernist approach of housing in the 1970s provides significant material on how to reuse this mass housing typology. Our personal project investigates the importance of the public spaces and the necessary economic development of the city without losing sight on the social aspects connected to a dynamic process of modernization. Therefore, it is important to enhance the potential of the existing built fabric, but at the same time invest in new functions that adapt this heritage to current needs.

"This paper investigates factors influencing the shaping of future learning environments. It focuses on the impact of social and cultural requirements on the sustainability of future learning environment. It argues that while today's... more

"This paper investigates factors influencing the shaping of future learning environments. It focuses on the impact of social and cultural requirements on the sustainability of future learning environment. It argues that while today's learning
environments are shaped by yesterday's visions, future learning environments are shaped by toady's' visions that might not be acceptable nor valid for future generations. The case of New Kuwait University City in Shedadiyah is used to illustrate how current social and cultural requirements impact the design of a future university campus and inhibit the production of a sustainable environment. Among several socio-cultural factors, the paper focuses on two significant aspects that have dramatically affected the development of the master plan for the New University City; namely separation of students' sexes and car parking requirements. The first requirement was mandated by a parliament decree to build two separate campuses; one for male students and the other for female students. The implementation of this requirement resulted in the duplication of many educational facilities and immensely increased space and budget requirements. The second requirement reflected dependency on automobiles as primary means of transportation in Kuwait. It resulted in a necessity to allocate large areas of land for vehicular traffic and car parking. These two requirements, as well as other socio-cultural requirements, created a great challenge towards achieving the required level of sustainability. The paper concludes that while recognizing that accommodating clients' social and cultural requirements is necessary for the application of a comprehensive sustainability strategy, these requirements might work against achieving required levels of other aspects of sustainability."

The present article investigates the family in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia as the intermediary institution between the individual and the state, and as the site of reproduction of the social order through the control over the woman's body.... more

The present article investigates the family in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia as the intermediary institution between the individual and the state, and as the site of reproduction of the social order through the control over the woman's body. The role of the family is examined here with the theoretical contribution of Foucauldian biopolitics intended as the state's political regulation of the biological element through power consolidation and preservation strategies. Women activists' actions aiming at the reform of the guardian-ship system in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia will be critically examined in the context of the wider regional challenges and movements. The article also interrogates the role of women in the authoritarian nation-state, and how it is constructed at the intersection be- tween the family, sexuality, reproduction and religion.

This article seeks to explain the failure of the 2012–14 Kuwaiti reform movement Karamet Watan. We compare Karamet Watan with two previous reform movements in Kuwait: Nabiha Khamsa in 2006 and Irhal in 2011. All three movements were... more

This article seeks to explain the failure of the 2012–14 Kuwaiti reform movement Karamet Watan. We compare Karamet Watan with two previous reform movements in Kuwait: Nabiha Khamsa in 2006 and Irhal in 2011. All three movements were nonviolent, which Erica Chenoweth and Maria Stephan have shown to be associated with the success of reform movements. We argue that Karamet Watan differed from the earlier movements in its choice of goals; its choice of tactics, especially the boycott of parliamentary elections; and the regional context. Our findings help illustrate the challenges facing political reform movements in Ku-wait, the obstacles to further movement toward greater political participation, and the conditions under which reform might succeed in the future.

Petro-alignment, a quid pro quo arrangement whereby great powers offer security in exchange for oil states’ friendly oil policies, is a widely used and yet undertheorized energy security strategy. One consequential aspect of this exchange... more

Petro-alignment, a quid pro quo arrangement whereby great powers offer security in exchange for oil states’ friendly oil policies, is a widely used and yet undertheorized energy security strategy. One consequential aspect of this exchange is that great powers choose different levels of security commitment to keep oil producers friendly. With what criteria do great powers rank oil states? How do we conceptualize different types of petro-alignments? What exactly do great powers and oil producers exchange under each petro-alignment type? I posit that a mix of market power and geostrategic location determines the strategic value and vulnerability of individual client oil states, which then generates four corresponding types of petro-alignment—security guarantee, strategic alignment, strategic favor, and neglect. Two carefully selected case comparisons—Saudi Arabia and Kuwait in 1970–91, and Azerbaijan and Ecuador in 1990–2013—show how great powers created, utilized, and maintained petro-alignments under the unique logic of oil markets and across varying geopolitical settings. The findings have important implications on great powers’ grand strategies, strategic behaviors of oil states, and the role of oil in international security.

This study is the first to use identical data collection processes and instruments in Egypt, Kuwait, Palestine, and Israeli Arab communities regarding help-seeking behaviors and attitudes towards perceived cultural beliefs about mental... more

This study is the first to use identical data collection processes and instruments in Egypt, Kuwait, Palestine, and Israeli Arab communities regarding help-seeking behaviors and attitudes towards perceived cultural beliefs about mental health problems. Data is based on a survey sample of 716, undergraduate students in the 4 countries, 61% female and 39% male. Results indicate that respondents within the various countries, based on nationality, gender and level of education, vary in terms of recognition of personal need, beliefs about mental health problems (i.e. stigmatization), and the use of traditional healing methods versus modern approaches to psychiatric therapy. The conclusion discusses differences between our respondents’ expectations and prevailing mental health service provision and delivery.

To assess the self-confidence of clinical years` medical students in performing clinical skills/procedures. A cross-sectional study was conducted in April 2011 at the Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Health Sciences Center,... more

To assess the self-confidence of clinical years` medical students in performing clinical skills/procedures. A cross-sectional study was conducted in April 2011 at the Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Health Sciences Center, Kuwait University, Safat, Kuwait. A questionnaire was used to collect data from students who had completed their surgical rotation of their first clinical year. The students reported their level of self-confidence in performing specific skills/procedures related to that rotation. Data were presented using frequencies and percentages. A total score of confidence was calculated for each student. The Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to assess the association between the students` sociodemographic characteristics and confidence score. Of the 122 students invited to participate in the study, only 15 (12.3%) declined to comply. Most students reported high confidence level (more than 75%) in performing 7 of the 13 history taking/physical examin...

مقال عن مواد وثائقية جديدة عن تاريخ الكويت الحديث في مكتبة قطر الوطنية الإلكترونية

The purpose of this paper is to conduct a systematic literature review (SLR) on mobile and electronic banking. With advances in the use of ICT in e-Business, the Banking areas extend, Information technology has affected the banking... more

The purpose of this paper is to conduct a systematic literature review (SLR) on mobile and electronic banking. With advances in the use of ICT in e-Business, the Banking areas extend, Information technology has affected the banking industry worldwide. The internet created a new market place, and the mobile apps changed the nature of the old banking processes. Users attitude and bank behavioral characteristics for internet and mobile bank were included in this survey. Issues and Challenges will be discussed.