George Bush’s historic moves built unmatched alliance to liberate Kuwait

• Dr. Richard Haass, the former special assistant to the late U.S. President George H.W. Bush, highlighted how critical decisions are made in times of crisis. He cited the historic decisions taken by the Bush administration from the onset of the Iraqi aggression against Kuwait until its liberation.

Marking the 34th anniversary of Kuwait’s liberation from the Iraqi invasion, the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted a dialogue session on Sunday titled “Decision-Making: The Liberation of Kuwait.”

The event, which was held at the Saud Al-Nasser Al-Sabah Diplomatic Institute, featured Dr. Richard Haass, former special assistant to the late U.S. President George H.W. Bush, and Sheikh Nawaf Al-Saud Al-Sabah, Vice Chairman and CEO of the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, the Al Anba newspaper reported.

The session was attended by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Al-Sabah, former Prime Minister, and Tarik Al-Roumi, Minister of Oil and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, along with numerous leaders, ambassadors, and dignitaries who experienced the ordeal of the brutal Iraqi invasion, as well as members of the international diplomatic corps.

Sheikh Nawaf Al-Saud moderated the dialogue session, during which Dr. Richard Haass highlighted how critical decisions are made in times of crisis. He cited the historic decisions taken by the late U.S. President George H.W. Bush from the onset of the Iraqi aggression against Kuwait until its liberation.

Haass also revealed, for the first time, details of the late Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad’s visit to the United States in September 1990 and the decisive actions taken by the Bush administration that led to an unprecedented international alliance to liberate Kuwait.

Additionally, he praised the tireless efforts of Kuwait’s then-ambassador to the U.S., Sheikh Saud Nasser Al-Saud Al-Sabah, who played a crucial role in defending his homeland through diplomacy, media coordination, and collaboration with lobby groups and decision-makers until Kuwait was liberated on February 26, 1991.

Sheikh Nawaf Al-Saud emphasized that hosting this dialogue session serves as a valuable opportunity to remind current generations of the political struggles endured by past Kuwaiti leaders for the country’s liberation. He also highlighted the importance of decision-making during global crises.

Al-Saud added that one of the key factors in crisis resolution is the ability to make decisions based on clear principles and to leverage strong personal relationships with all relevant parties, fostering trust and facilitating communication and cooperation at both commercial and political levels.

The political, diplomatic, and media figures who attended the dialogue session praised the rich discussions and valuable insights shared during the event, adding a unique dimension to the liberation anniversary celebrations. Some also noted that history has recorded, in shining letters, the efforts of Kuwait’s men and women and their decisive role in the country’s liberation—a role that continues to be recognized with gratitude and appreciation by present and future generations.