Kuwait Has a New Ruler Who Now Must Fix Its Old Problems

  • Sheikh Mishaal will face dysfunction that hobbles Kuwait
  • New ruler has a background in the Gulf state’s security forces
Emir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-SabahPhotographer: Andy Rain/EPA/Bloomberg
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Like his immediate predecessor, Kuwait’s new ruler is taking over in his 80s and will be confronted with the same economy-hobbling political dysfunction that has for years doomed reforms.

But there are differences in this succession as well as similarities, and how they play out will help dictate whether 83-year-old Emir Sheikh Mishaal Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah can break the OPEC member state free of its paralysis.