Relationship dossier
Iraq
Kuwait
Relationship assessment
A relationship shaped by Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait, later cooperation and continuing maritime disputes
Iraq toward Kuwait
-25Iraq invaded and occupied Kuwait in 1990, but later recognized Kuwait’s sovereignty and engaged in post-2003 cooperation on border arrangements and missing persons. Iraq completed war-reparations payments to Kuwait in 2021. Disputes over maritime arrangements have continued.
Kuwait toward Iraq
+20Kuwait supported Iraq’s reconstruction, including by hosting the 2018 Kuwait International Conference for the Reconstruction of Iraq and pledging assistance. Kuwait’s relationship with Iraq also reflects the legacy of Iraq’s 1990 invasion and continuing maritime disputes.
Overall relationship
-15The relationship has been shaped by Iraq’s invasion and occupation of Kuwait, followed by efforts to normalize ties and cooperate on unresolved consequences of the conflict. Kuwait’s support for Iraqi reconstruction and Iraq’s completion of reparations are significant cooperative developments, while disputes over maritime arrangements remain a source of friction.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
Iraq’s 1990 invasion and occupation of Kuwait left a profound legacy of hostility. Since 2003, the governments have pursued cooperation on issues including border arrangements, missing persons and war reparations, which Iraq completed in 2021. Kuwait has supported Iraq’s reconstruction, including by hosting the 2018 Kuwait International Conference for the Reconstruction of Iraq. Disputes over maritime arrangements have nevertheless continued.
Areas of tension
- Iraq’s 1990 invasion and occupation of Kuwait and their enduring consequences.
- Disagreements concerning maritime arrangements, including the Khor Abdullah waterway.
Key developments
Iraq invaded Kuwait, beginning an occupation that ended with Kuwait’s liberation in 1991.
Iraq completed its war-reparations payments to Kuwait.
Kuwait hosted the International Conference for the Reconstruction of Iraq and pledged assistance.
Major uncertainties
- The extent and implementation of ongoing bilateral cooperation on border and maritime matters remain unclear.
- The longer-term effects of Iraq’s completed war-reparations payments on bilateral relations are uncertain.