
It was exactly 18 years back when Kuwait was liberated from the Saddam's Iraqi invasion. It was exactly 18 years back when I was watching the news in my family's beach house in Egypt as we lived as "refugees" in our own country of citizenship.
Things have turned around so much since then...
Kuwait has more than 2 million residents now compared to a little more than half that figure before the invasion
Kuwait has rebuilt itself quite fast, however, to lag behind Dubai that used to be a second or third to Kuwait City in the Arabian Gulf before the 2nd of August 1990
Kuwait has a new leader...Both Sheikh Jaber and Sheikh Saad who lead Kuwait through its hard times have passed away
Kuwait has introduced segregation of males and females to universities, however at the same time the youth dress and act more Western than any other Gulf youth
Kuwait has de-pegged the Kuwaiti Dinar from the US Dollar, however, it still is the most valuable currency in the world
Kuwait starting making budget surpluses in teh alst few years with decreasing outflows towards the US and the allies who supported in its liberation but also the increase in oil prices
Kuwaiti banks were the hardest hit in the Gulf by the current economic crisis
Kuwait for the first time becomes a place where corruption and bribes in government offices is not uncommon
Kuwait grants women the right to vote and run for office
The first Kuwaiti female Minister was appointed
Those are just some of many things...
However, today was also marked by Kuwait's first celebration of its liberation in its embassy in Baghdad and the high profile visit since August 1990 ... more
hereA lot happens in 18 years...