Strategic hedging in the Gulf: Kuwait’s foreign policy between Iran and Saudi Arabia (1971–2023)

This study examines the development of Kuwait’s foreign policy from 1971 to 2023 in the context of the persistent Saudi–Iranian rivalry. Situated between two major regional powers and exposed to ongoing geopolitical pressures, Kuwait has aimed to protect its sovereignty, security, and internal stability through a flexible and pragmatic diplomatic approach. The study argues that Kuwait has consistently relied on a strategy of strategic hedging, enabling it to maintain balanced relations with both Iran and Saudi Arabia without fully aligning with either. Adopting a qualitative multi-method approach, the research integrates historical analysis, qualitative content analysis, and process tracing of key regional events. It draws on official Kuwaiti documents, diplomatic communications, international organization records, and academic literature. The analysis highlights critical moments such as the Iran–Iraq War, the 1990 Iraqi invasion, post-2003 regional shifts, the Arab uprisings, the 2017 Gulf crisis, and the 2023 Saudi–Iran rapprochement. The findings show that Kuwait’s foreign policy rests on three key pillars: security coordination with Gulf partners, especially Saudi Arabia; continued diplomatic engagement with Iran; and active participation in mediation and multilateral initiatives. Despite periodic tensions, Kuwait has avoided escalation and preserved functional ties with both sides, reinforcing its role as a stabilizing and mediating actor in regional politics.