Political vacuum raises concern as region on brink of all-out war
“IT’S no secret anymore that the Middle East is engulfed in a political and military turmoil, reaching a boiling point. The conflicts in our region have transcended mere border disputes or disagreements over resources like oil fields. We find ourselves amidst a fullblown war, particularly evident in the Gaza area controlled by the Zionist entity since last October,” columnist Asrar Johar Hayat wrote for Al-Qabas daily.
“This turmoil has started to spill over into neighboring countries and is now dangerously close to us. Recent events, such as the bombing of the Iranian consulate in Syria, have sparked heated exchanges between Iranian, Zionist, and American officials.
“These exchanges are far from reassuring and serve as stark reminders that we are precariously close to the brink of multiparty conflict. Any rash actions, driven by impulsive reactions, could easily plunge us into a state of intense military confrontations. We must tread carefully to avoid the catastrophic consequences of a war breaking out.
“We cannot afford to dismiss the situation in Kuwait as irrelevant to us. On the contrary, we are perhaps the most affected, given our small size and our geographical proximity to larger, often competing nations.
“Regardless of our stance on regional or international disputes, we are inevitably impacted politically, economically, and socially. The repercussions of conflicts extend beyond borders, affecting even those countries that strive for neutrality.
“What troubles me deeply is the current political climate, which may be the most volatile and severe since the first and second Gulf wars, especially with the ongoing aggression against our brethren in Gaza. Yet, we find ourselves in an unprecedented state of political vacuum precisely when we need a functioning government and parliament the most. We require their presence to ensure informed decision-making and swift responses to any events unfolding in the region.
“Today, we find ourselves governed by an “urgent disposal” government, but can we truly rely on a resigned administration to effectively handle any emergencies in the region? Events in the Middle East unfold rapidly, leaving no room for speculation or expectations.
“Compounding our concerns is the fact that the recently elected parliament remains suspended due to representatives not fulfilling their oath. We must wait until the session begins, leaving us without a functioning parliament.
“This political vacuum, coupled with vacant key positions, is deeply concerning, particularly in the midst of a tumultuous region attracting the attention of various stakeholders.
“As citizens, we’re especially troubled by recent Iranian statements regarding military training and Zionist responses indicating readiness to retaliate against potential Iranian strikes. All this while we lack a government and effectively have no parliament.
“In the face of imminent threats, who will steer the ship of government if the worst-case scenario unfolds? The threats loom dangerously close.”
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“I challenge you ... Every word in the phrase, ‘I challenge’, comes with incomprehensible connotations due to its frequent repetition. It has become common in parliamentary discourse. I do not know who ‘invented’ it and planted its seeds in parliamentary work. It is being used so frequently that we no longer know who is challenging whom, what is meant by the challenge and what is its purpose,” columnist M.
Adel Al-Jarallah Al-Kharafi wrote for Al-Seyassah daily.
“It is common among MPs and between MPs and ministers, but those who fear it and take account of it the most are those sitting in the front row. The wise men in ancient times said: ‘Politics is the art of possibilities.’ It is possible only through constructive dialogue, which builds and does not destroy. Political relations between various parties are based on public interest. Their goal is stability and collective action.
“As for the ‘challenge’, it transforms differences of opinion, which is a healthy phenomenon, unlike the continuation of the ‘challenge’ that turns the dispute into rivalry. The absence of wisdom turns rivalry into a dispute, and the conflict has undesirable consequences. When ‘challenge’ spreads among the people of one nation, the biggest loser is the nation and its citizens.
“The goal of democracy is to exchange and cross-fertilize ideas, which produce solutions and facilitate their implementation. The experience of advanced democracies did not develop through challenge, disagreement and conflict, but trough respect for the opinion of others with rational care to compromise on solutions that unite everyone.
“If democracy loses this basic goal, which the common phrase -- ‘I challenge’-in our political and parliamentary discourse leads to, then we are doomed to falter. Will we push our democratic path to falter with our own hands and then look for a ‘peg’ to hang our mistakes?
“Self-criticism is an essential first step for those who raise the slogan of reform in all aspects. This does not happen through challenge, but by ensuring consensus through constructive democratic dialogue. Differences of opinion should not lead to friendliness as an issue.
“Isn’t it time for us to realize that? Doesn’t everyone see our stagnant situation for years? Don’t we see that every election gives birth to another until people get tired of it? Honestly, anyone loyal to his country and loves everyone can see that the current political scene is shrouded in ambiguity and confusion. It is the worst possibility for a development breakthrough that all of us are aspiring for, yet we do not do it well.
“Before challenging anyone, every official should look at our development indicators and our ranking in international indices to know that we are in dire need of a breakthrough. We have missed many opportunities and wasted even more of our resources. Shall we not learn and fear Allah in Kuwait?”
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“Early clash … An Amiri decree was issued to postpone the inaugural session of the National Assembly for a month in the interest of the public, as the period is not sufficient for more political consultations needed in the next critical stage, which is expected to be a stage of political stability, far from dissolving the Assembly and changing the council of ministers,” columnist Talal
Al-Saeed wrote for Al-Seyassah daily. “In our opinion, the senior leadership realized the need for a longer time to form the new government, and that waiting is necessary before assigning the authority. So, why object and attempt to push for holding the inaugural session on April 17? Why look into the unconstitutionality of the decree, on which the constitutional experts have disagreed? They are divided into permissible and not permissible. As long as there is a constitutional dispute, why do we not choose what is in line with the highest interest of the country? The supreme leadership realized this when the postponement decree was issued, knowing that the opening session will not be held unless the government is formed and sworn in before His Highness the Amir. This means the reward that some members are trying to call for is invalid and trivial!
“On other hand, why do some of the new representatives or those who have been re-elected start their term with an undesirable ‘Saddam’, instead of extending a hand of cooperation? For the information of all these people whom we elected as our politicians, the Kuwaiti street is looking forward to more cooperation between the two authorities, in search of stability and achievement, after our problems became without solutions. For example, we called for solutions to restore the streets, yet not a single street was restored. We demanded that salaries be adjusted, but this was not done. We called for jobs to be nationalized, but this was not done, up to the point that replacement became an unworkable slogan. We demanded a comprehensive plan for education, but it only got worse. What has been achieved for the citizen?
“At the same time, the expatriates demanded that the ‘visa’ be opened, and that was done. They demanded that the visit visa be opened and extended, and that was done. They demanded a period for the violators to leave without accountability or punishment, and that was done. They demanded the return of those who violated laws, and that was done. Our distinguished representatives are still searching for the clash ... ”
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“Settle it … This was confirmed by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, may Allah prolong his life and keep him as the support and asset of the honorable people of Kuwait. As soon as the Ministry of Information announced the date of His Highness’ speech, the citizens began anticipating this date to hear reassurance about the future of the coming generations. They are certain that HH the Amir of firmness and determination was one of the first to preserve national identity and protect it from tampering,” Sheikh Ali
Al-Jaber Al-Ahmad wrote for AlSeyassah daily.
“When he said it without opening his mouth, he relieved all his loyal people. It was an indirect order to His Excellency, the Minister of Interior, to continue what he started and rid the country of forgers wherever they may be.
“Thank you, sir, for all the advice and guidance you have given to your children for the common good.
“We congratulate our representatives, wishing them success in playing an effective role in the interest of the public, while preventing tension and crises without interfering in governmental affairs, so that the National Assembly can continue its work. There is no harm in us repeating what we said and being true to our expectation of dissolving the last Assembly before a year passed. We say to those who were unlucky: Follow the sessions of the representatives. Do not go far, and be prepared either to reserve your temporary positions or for your positions to be fixed in your homes, to remind you of the proverb, ‘Beware of the evil of the forbearing one when he gets angry.’