00:00 A Middle Eastern nation mourns the passing of a leader and anticipates the dawn of a
00:08 new era.
00:09 Last week, Kuwait bid farewell to Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah and in the wake of this
00:14 transition a new figure has stepped into the spotlight.
00:18 We present to you the unfolding story of Sheikh Mishal al-Ahmad al-Sabah, the newly appointed
00:23 Emir of Kuwait.
00:28 Sheikh Mishal is the seventh son of Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah.
00:32 He has assumed the mantle of Kuwait's leadership.
00:34 Born on 27 September in 1940, Sheikh Mishal's journey through education took him from the
00:39 Al-Mubarakiyah School in Kuwait to the Hendon Police College in Great Britain, where he
00:44 graduated in 1960.
00:46 From 1967 to 1980, Sheikh Mishal played a crucial role as the head of Kuwait's Ministry
00:51 of Interior's Intelligence and State Security Service.
00:55 He was later responsible for overseeing the evolution of the Kuwait State Security Service.
01:00 In 2004, he assumed a minister-level deputy chief position in the Kuwait National Guard
01:05 or KNG, focusing on reforms and anti-corruption measures.
01:12 Sheikh Mishal's contributions were recognised in 2018 when he received the Commander of
01:17 the Legion of Honour from France, acknowledging his efforts in strengthening relations and
01:21 cooperation, particularly in countering terrorism.
01:24 In October 2020, Sheikh Mishal became the Crown Prince of Kuwait.
01:29 It was a position he assumed after his half-brother Sheikh Sabah's health declined.
01:33 Despite turning down previous senior roles to maintain family relationships, Sheikh Mishal's
01:38 influence grew, and he became the de facto leader as Sheikh Nawaf's health deteriorated
01:43 in 2021.
01:47 As the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Mishal now faces the task of leading a nation with the world's
01:52 sixth-largest crude oil reserves.
01:54 His appointment signifies a commitment to continuity, bucking the trend of generational
01:58 change.
01:59 Despite regional shifts, Kuwait maintains alignment with Saudi Arabia, and challenges
02:03 include factional struggles within the ruling family and navigating geopolitical complexities
02:08 in the volatile region.
02:09 In a state announcement, Deputy Prime Minister Issa Al-Kandari declared a 40-day mourning
02:14 period and a three-day closure of all official departments in honour of the late Emir.
02:19 As global tributes pour in, Kuwait stands at a pivotal moment, and the world watches
02:24 to see the direction Sheikh Mishal Al Ahmad Al Sabah will take the nation.
02:28 -
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