The Friday Night Report

Major news, or not, that made it into the FNR includes Queen Rania, Kuwaiti-Iraqi border, car number plates, and other interesting stuff!

In an interview with Al-Rai newspaper, Queen Rania of Jordan tells us that Kuwait has a special place in her heart, as it is the place where she was raised as a child and formed many of her friendships and fond memories.

Ladies and gentlemen, and why do we care you say? Why is Jordanian politics, driven by her majesty and others, taking a more central position on the Kuwaiti scene? Well, in addition to Kuwaiti aspirations to invest more than $6 billion in Jordan as mentioned last week, the real answer can be found North of Kuwait. What was that again?!

Last week's news stated that the biggest border crossing in the world was opened between Kuwait and Iraq. It took three years to build with a cost of around $20 million. It is to be used solely for the American troops (news in Al-Qabas). Further, Aspen Road is being constructed to link Southern Iraq with Kuwait, and should be completed by next month. The estimated cost of the 180 km road is $30.4 million, and the goal is to make the transportation of goods from Kuwait City to MSR Tampa more efficient.

Ladies and gentlemen, does spending more than $50 million on infrastructure constitute a temporary position, where things are expected to settle down and get better soon? Will troops be heading home within a year? It sure doesn't look like it, unless home is called Kuwait. If I spend $50 million for roads and buildings, I am planning for a long-term engagement that could be hidden from the eyes of the public at the moment. Something is fishy and it looks like we, as Middle Easterners, are heading for more bloodshed and violence.

His Highness the Amir of Kuwait calmed fears about religious tensions and discrimination in Kuwait indicating that the country does not face such a problem, and that the Shia in the Persian Gulf countries are mostly Arabs who do not pledge allegiance to Iran. Also, His Highness assured the public that a military confrontation with Iran will not happen, warning at the same time that anything could happen!

Ladies and gentlemen, Kuwait does not have religious tensions or discrimination, yet the speech discriminates between Arab Shia and Persian Shia, both being a part of the population in all the Persian Gulf countries. The way it is, the implication is that Arab Shia in the GCC countries are good Shia, while Persian Shia are the ones to watch. Yet, Kuwait does not suffer from any religious tensions or discrimination! The speechwirter should revisit the speech, and make sure any negative implications are avoided, especially with the Liberation of Kuwait celebrations approaching us later this month. So will there be a war or won't there be one?

On a lighter note, Al-Qabas newspaper stated that the first of the new number plates was issued to an important government official in Kuwait by "complete coincidence."

Ladies and gentlemen, this is what the media thinks about the Kuwaiti reader. They can say this and actually get away with it. Until next time, take care and stay safe...