A British protectorate since 1899, the hereditary monarchy of Kuwait became independent on 19 June 1961. On 2 August 1990, the country was invaded by Iraqi troops. It was liberated in February 1991 by an international UN force led by the USA.
The king appoints the prime minister and influences government policy. The National Assembly has 50 members who are elected by direct suffrage, plus the ministers in office.

The country’s economy is linked to the trend in oil prices, which comprises more than 90% of exports: by law, at least 10% of the revenue is set aside in an investment fund.
There are about 700 oil-wells in the areas of Al Burqān, Al Maqwa´, Al-Aḥmadī, Muţribah, Ar Rawḍatayn, Al-Baḥrah, Aș-Şābrīyah, Al-Manāqīsh, Umm Qudayr.
Oil pipelines connect the wells to the port of Mīnā’ al-Aḥmadī, where several oil refineries are located. There are other refineries at Mīnā’ ‘Abd Allāh, Mīnā’ az Zawr and Ash Shu‘aybah. There are chemical plants (at Ash Shuwaykh), fertilizer plants, cement factories and several desalination plants. The country is trying to diversify the economy, attract foreign investors and develop the private sector, but economic reforms are compromised by domestic political clashes and by the pervasiveness of the public sector.