Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah dies. His half-brother, Sheikh Meshal Al Ahmad Al Jaber, now 83, is named emir. Sheik Meshal has been the head of the security services.

Government resigns over dispute with parliament about a debt-relief bill that would allow the government to borrow from international sources. Political bickering has for years hampered investment and reforms in Kuwait, which is heavily dependent on oil revenues, has an expansive welfare system and a public sector that employs roughly 80 percent of its citizens. Kuwaitis account for less than a third of the population of 4.6 million people. Opposition figures made big gains in September parliamentary polls in the country, which bans political parties but has given its legislature more influence than similar bodies in other Gulf monarchies.

Ministers of Interior and Defence resign in protest over the questioning of ministers in parliament. The emir appoints other members of the royal family to take over the ministries.

Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah announces new cabinet, though he has given crown prince and prime minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al Hamad Al Sabah most of his duties. The Emir has worked to defuse the tension, and the new cabinet includes several members of the opposition.

Government resigns. In recent months, opposition lawmakers have squabbled with Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah al-Khalid al-Sabah about his handling of the pandemic, allegations of corruption, and the fate of political dissidents in exile. His resignation, coupled with a proposal for amnesty for those dissidents, could now smooth things over.

Sheikh Nawaf granted an amnesty to opposition political members in part to resolve the ongoing deadlock in the country's government.

Government refuses to attend parliament session when opposition legislators occupy the seats reserved for cabinet ministers. The opposition wants to question the government on COVID-19 response and a law passed in 3/21 that prevents questioning of Prime Minister Sabah until the end of 2022.

Saudi Arabia announces that the Gulf states -- Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates – along with Egypt have agreed to end their blockade of and restore full diplomatic ties with Qatar in an agreement on “solidarity and stability” for the region.

All female members of parliament lose their seats in today’s election. The unofficial opposition takes nearly half of the seats calling for reforms over corruption and debt.

Emir al-Sabah names Sheikh Meshaal al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, currently the deputy head of the National Guard, as crown prince.

Emir Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah dies. He is replaced by his 82-year-old half-brother, Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah. Sdheik Sabah will appoint a new crown prince, who is the person who deals with parliament. The Kuwaiti royal family is more divided than in other Arab kingdoms and the system is more democratic open to political alliances outside of the royal family.

Emir Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, 91, undergoes successful surgery and medical treatment. Crown Prince Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who is 83, temporarily assumes some of the powers and will maintain such powers until "the health event is over."

Government announces total curfew as part of measures to deal with COVID-19 pandemic.

Government reports outbreak of COVID-19 virus.

Locust swarms invade Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and UAE meet “to align policy.”

Turkey and Kuwait sign a mutual defense pact to share military experience and coordinate activities beginning in 2019. Kuwait has become increasingly concerned about Saudi activities in the region, and Turkey has an interest in providing protection for Qatar because of its support of the Muslim Brotherhood, a key part of Erdogan’s support. Tension between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia began in 2014, over a dispute about their common oil fields Khafji and Wafra. The Saudis unilaterally stopped product when Kuwait objected to Chevron being part of the operation, and Kuwait estimated it lost $18 billion in revenue and wants to be compensated. However the two countries have been at odds since the 1913 agreement about the breakup of the Ottoman Empire. Saudi Arabia objected to the boundaries drawn and forced the British to give them two-thirds of Kuwait’s territory.

Kuwait court orders opposition leader, two current legislators, and several others to prison for actions during 2011 protests and storming of parliament.

OPEC agrees to increase production, a pledge that will be fulfilled by countries with spare capacity, notably Algeria, Kuwait, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.

Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Kuwait pledge $2.5 billion in aid to Jordan, both to mitigate austerity measures and for some development projects.