Emir of Kuwait since 2023
Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (Arabic: الشَّيْخ مِشعَل الأَحمَد الْجَابِر الصَّباح, romanized: ash-shaykh Mishʻal al-ʾAḥmad al-Jābir aṣ-Ṣabāḥ; born 27 September 1940) is Emir of Kuwait. Mishal spent most of his career in Kuwait's security and intelligence apparatus. Prior to becoming emir at age 83, he was the oldest crown prince in the world.[1]
Biography
Mishal was born on 27 September 1940 to Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah during his father's reign (1921–1950) as the tenth ruler of the Sheikhdom of Kuwait. Mishal was Ahmad's seventh son, and is the paternal younger half-brother of three emirs of Kuwait: Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (1977–2006), Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (2006–2020) and Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (2020–2023).[2]
Mishal attended the Al Mubarakiya School in Kuwait for primary education,[2] then went abroad to the United Kingdom for studies at the Hendon Police College, from which he graduated in 1960. After graduation from Hendon, Mishal joined the Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior (MOI). From 1967 to 1980, he served as head of the MOI's intelligence and state security service.[3] In this role, he oversaw the intelligence organization's development into the Kuwait State Security service, and Mishal served as its first director.[2]
On 13 April 2004, then-Emir Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah named Mishal as a minister-level deputy chief of the Kuwait National Guard (KNG), replacing Nawaf in the position. The deputy chief is one of Kuwait's most powerful interior defense positions, and Mishal was the most powerful man in the agency, as the chief is a symbolic position held by Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah, the most senior member of the House of Sabah.[4][5]
At the KNG, Mishal led a reform of the agency and crackdown on corruption. During Mishal's tenure, the KNG joined the International Association of Gendarmeries and Police Forces with Military Status (FIEP) in 2019. Mishal stepped down from his position at the KNG in 2020 upon nomination as Crown Prince.[3][6]
Shortly after his half-brother Sabah became emir in 2006, Mishal was considered one of the top three decision-makers in the Al-Sabah ruling family. During his tenure, Mishal had reportedly turned down more senior roles in order to avoid political disputes and maintain his relationships in the family.[7]
As his half-brother Sabah's health started to fail, Mishal's influence grew, and he accompanied Sabah on official visits, including to the Mayo Clinic in the United States for medical treatment.[3][6]
Crown Prince
Crown Prince Nawaf became emir upon the death of his half-brother Sabah on 29 September 2020. According to Kuwaiti law, Nawaf had a one-year period in which to select his crown prince. After a record-short eight days, he selected his half-brother Mishal on 7 October.[6] At a special session of the Kuwait National Assembly the next day, all 59 members of parliament unanimously approved Mishal's appointment.[8] Upon assuming the role of crown prince at the age of 80, Mishal became the world's oldest crown prince.[1]
The appointment of Mishal, among the Kuwaiti ruling family's oldest members, was interpreted by some analysts as a sign that the country rulers wanted to avoid significant change, such as a transition to the next generation of leaders. Mishal was chosen instead of other, perhaps more controversial, candidates for crown prince including former Prime Minister Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Sabah and Deputy Prime Minister Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.[7][5]
Mishal was expected to assume a larger role than previous crown princes due to Nawaf's advanced age.[9] For example, on 2 September 2021, Mishal spoke with US Vice President Kamala Harris about US-Kuwait bilateral relations and Kuwait's role in the evacuation of Afghanistan.[10]
In response to political turmoil and gridlock in Kuwait, Crown Prince Mishal, not Nawaf, announced the dissolution of the Kuwait National Assembly on 17 April 2023, citing in a television address a law that empowered the emir to do so.[11]
Mishal has also represented Kuwait at important events abroad, including the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey, London in 2022[12] and the wedding of Hussein, Crown Prince of Jordan in 2023.[13]
Emir
Mishal became the emir of Kuwait following the death of the previous emir, his half-brother Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, on 16 December 2023 at the age of 86, following hospitalisation in November for a medical emergency.[14][15]
Personal life
Mishal has 2 wives: Nuria Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah and Munira Badah Al-Mutairi. He has 12 children: 3 daughters. He was a founder and served as honorary president of the Kuwait Amateur Radio Society. He has also been the honorary president of the Kuwait Aircraft Engineer Pilots Association and of the Diwan of Poets.[2]
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