Accepted Articles

 

Accepted Articles:

Employing of learning and innovation skills in the mathematics teaching practices and related obstacles from mathematics teachers' perspectives

Noha R. Alruwaished

Objectives: This study aimed to identify the employing of learning and innovation skills in the mathematics teaching practices and related obstacles from mathematics teachers' perspectives. Method: The study adopted a qualitative approach using semi-structured personal interviews, consisted of (9) questions about employing of learning and innovation skills in the mathematics teaching practices. Participants were (31) mathematics teachers in the State of Kuwait. Results: The results revealed four emerged themes related to the critical thinking and problem-solving skill teaching practices, which are encouraging questions and discussion, linking mathematical issues with life situations, giving directions, and variety use of strategies. Data showed two themes related to communication and sharing skills teaching practices by individual and group strategies. Teaching practices related to creativity and innovation skills were linking and recalling previous ideas, generating ideas and introducing informative details. The participants expressed obstacles in teaching learning and innovation skills, which are lack of teacher training, following restricted time plan, students’ low Arabic reading skills, difficulty in students understanding mathematical problem, writing and interpreting mathematical language. Moreover, dense curriculum content, short class time, high classroom density, and the lack of resources were expressed. Conclusion: The study recommended enhancing mathematical communication in teaching practices, especially written mathematical communication, and providing diverse and creative resources in teaching Mathematics.

Submitted: 8/9/2021, Accepted: 6/3/2022

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The Interior Design of the Dwelling and its Relationship to the management of time and effort of the head of the family

Sami Alazemi, Hessa Al-Sumait, Manal Al-khazi

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the interior design of the dorm rooms and the management of time and effort for the Kuwaiti female head of household. Knowing the variance among the participants in managing time and effort according to the variables (work, age , and educational level). Method: The study employed the descriptive method.  The  Interior Design Questionnaire for Dorm Rooms and  Time and Effort Management Questionnaire were administered  to a random sample of 499 working and non-working Kuwaiti women with different educational and economic levels. Results: The results revealed a statistically significant correlation between the interior design of (the kitchen, the living room, the bedroom, the reception room, and the total questionnaire between the average scores of the research sample in the interior design of the living room, the bedroom, and the total interior design) and management. Time and effort at the 0.00 indication level. It was also found that there is a statistically significant difference in the management of time and effort according to the educational level of the research sample. And there is a statistically significant difference in the interior design of the kitchen. for the living room. for the bedroom. for the reception room. Total interior design of the house. Managing time and effort according to the age of the head of the family. There is a statistically significant difference in the level of interior design of the kitchen, living room, bedroom, reception room, the total interior design of the house, and the management of time and effort according to the number of family members.

Submitted: 22/2/2022, Accepted: 19/4/2022

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The Social Justifications that Identify Career Choices of Omani Youth Seeking Jobs: A field study

Majid ALBusafi,  Muneer karadsheh, Maryam ALSumri

Objective: The study aimed to investigate the social justifications that affect the career choices of Omani youth looking for jobs in the Sultanate of Oman. the study aimed also to explore the differences in the attitudes of Omani youth towards each social justification according to some variables. Method: Data was collected mainly through a questionnaire that included different sections which are: Demographic, social and economic background, family background, educational conditions, and social justifications for career choices. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire were measured. Participants: The study was conducted on a purposive sample consisting of (13501) male and female job seekers from all governorates of Oman who are registered with the Ministry of Labor as “active” job seekers. Results: The results showed statistical differences in the attitudes of job seekers towards social justifications affecting their career choices according to the variable of age in favor of young people in each age group. Significant statistical differences also appeared in the attitudes of job seekers towards social justifications affecting their career choices according to the variable of education level in favor of people who have lower education in each comparison group. Moreover, the study reveals that social considerations are affected by the number of years spent in job search. The more time people spend in job search, the more they have social considerations affecting their career choices. Conclusion: The study concluded that social justification represented in “getting an opportunity to participate in community decision-making” is the most influential social justification in the career choices of Omani youth looking for jobs.

Submitted:29/7/2021, Accepted: 30/5/2022

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Obstacles of Green Accounting and future vision to overcome These Obstacles in Saudi industrial Entities: Accountants and Internal Auditors point of view.

Jafar O. Elsharif 

Objectives:  This study aimed to reveal the obstacles to application green accounting in Saudi industrial entities, and future aspirations to overcome them from the point view of accountants and internal auditors in industrial establishments in Saudi industrial cities. Methods: To achieve the objectives of study, descriptive analytical method was used, and main study tool was the questionnaire, and applied to a sample of (548) accountants and internal auditors in industrial entities in industrial cities of Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam. Results: The results of the study showed that the organizational (administrative) and accounting obstacles that limit application of green accounting were (very large), while external obstacles were (large). The results also indicated that the most important future aspirations to overcome these obstacles is to adopt the application of international financial reporting standards. Conclusion: The study concludes that there are organizational (administrative) obstacles, accounting obstacles, and external obstacles that limit the application of green accounting in industrial entities in Saudi industrial cities, but they vary in their degree, which ranged from a large degree to a very large one.

Submitted: 9/5/2022, Accepted: 22/11/2022

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The Reformist Discourse of King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in the Kingdom of Bahrain: A historical Perspective (1999-2011)

Sharaf M. Al Mezaal

Objectives: The study aims to reveal the content of the reformist discourse of King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in the Kingdom Bahrain from a historical perspective by analyzing the lofty speeches of the King in the period (1999-2011), and determining the impact of the internal and external forces on the development of the political reform movement in Bahrain. Method: The method of content analysis was used to analyze the political reformist discourse of the King in that period through three dimensions; namely the political and military establishment of Sheikh Hamad, analysis of 18 lofty speeches of the King revolving around reform, and the impact of internal and external factors on changing the style of the reformist discourse. Results: The reformist discourse of King Hamad reflects the personal characteristics and thoughts of the King, and his pivotal role in modernization and reform, and is based mainly on three pillars; namely establishing the rule of law, consolidating security and stability, and developing loyalty and national belonging. Conclusion: The study concluded that the reformist discourse of King Hamad in the period (1999-2011) was explicit in presenting the visions of reform, and the leadership had taken important measures towards reform and modernization, but the success of the reform process depends on the extent of the cohesion of the internal forces supporting the reforms.

Submitted: 13/6/2022, Accepted: 17/10/2022

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Legal Grounds for State's obligation to Compensate for Physical Damage Caused by Coronavirus (COVID 19) vaccination

Abdulmajeed Alenezi

Objective: Kuwaiti legislation did not include a special regime for compensation for damage caused by compulsory vaccinations, or those licensed for use in a public health emergency. Given that vaccines can cause physical damage to those who get vaccinated with them, this study illustrates the legal grounds that we can base on for obliging the state to compensate for damage caused by vaccines.  Method: It is based on a descriptive analytical approach of national legislation, with a review of the situation in the comparative law and the solutions it has adopted to compensate for the physical damage caused by vaccination in a public health emergency, with a focus on judicial applications relevant to the study's topic. Conclusions: The study found that vaccination with coronavirus vaccines is considered compulsory, line up with state's liability for the damages caused for breach of the general obligation to safety, or as a matter of self-harm assurance, or on the basis of its liability for the errors of its followers. The study concluded with the recommendation to adopt what comparative legislation has taken by establishing special funds to compensate for the damage caused by vaccines imposed by the state when epidemic diseases spread and amend certain national laws to achieve that end.

Submitted: 25/8/2022, Accepted: 6/11/2022

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The role of psychological and social factors in predicting personal well-being of retirees in the State of Kuwait

Ahmad ALAZEMI

Objectives: The study aimed to identify the level of personal well-being, and to know the extent to which the variables of anxiety and depression, and some social variables, contribute to predicting it among retirees in the State of Kuwait. Method: The current study followed the descriptive correlational method. The Well-being scale and the Hopkins scale -25 for Anxiety and Depression were administered to 215 retirees registered in the Public Institution for Social Security, obtained using the accessible sample method. Results: The results showed that the level of personal well-being was average in more than half of the sample, followed by the high level. There were no significant differences in the personal well-being of retirees according to gender variables, pre-retirement work, post-retirement work, exercise, and chronic diseases. The results also revealed that those with regular social relationships with family and friends had higher scores of personal well-being compared to those with low social relationships. It was also found that the predictive variables are attributed to (36%) of the variation in the degrees of personal well-being among retirees, and it was also found that the variables of anxiety, depression, and social relations in predicting personal happiness among retirees. Conclusions: The results confirm the role of social relationships, anxiety and depression in predicting personal well-being, and appropriate recommendations were made in the light of these results.

 

Submitted: 21/10/2022, Accepted: 2/1/2023

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International Law relating to Investment Disputes: The Experience International Financial Center for Arbitration in Dubai

Zafear Alhajeri

Objectives: This article aims to evaluate the Dubai International Financial Center for Arbitration pursuant to the amendment of the law to accommodate foreign investors. It considered whether there is a need for such a court in Kuwait, or what the appropriate method is for developing the system of arbitration. Method: At present, Kuwait aims to attract foreign investment by offering several guarantees and incentives to investors, as well as by developing an arbitration system that guarantees the rights of all parties. This raised several questions, including: 1. Was the DIFCA experience successful? 2. Does the Kuwaiti constitution and law allow for the establishment of a similar body? 3. What are the alternative solutions to attract foreign investments?  Results: The research concluded that arbitration represents one of the best incentives for foreign investment, and that legislation on foreign investment needs continuous updating and effective monitoring. Furthermore, the application of foreign law is a waiver of the supremacy of national law. Conclusion: The research concluded with several recommendations, the most important of which are that it would be difficult to replicate the DIFCA courts in Kuwait. Also, there are more intermediate solutions can be found in Kuwait law such as facilitating the process of resorting to the judiciary and arbitration for foreign investors and benefiting from technological progress in this field.

Submitted: 31/10/2022, Accepted: 8/1/2023

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Factors influencing the evaluation of information on social media by Kuwait University students: College of Social Sciences

Nujoud Al-Muomen, Hend Al-Ma’seb

Objectives: The study aimedto examine the relationship between a set of demographic variables and the assessment scale - for undergraduate students at Kuwait University - for information in social media. These variables include gender, age, academic year, devices used to obtain information,and information knowledge. Method: An E-survey was used for the study, a link to the questionnaire was sent to students through the Teams platform, and the usual procedures of reliability were tested on the scale approved  Results: Statistically significant differences were found between some demographic variables and the assessment of information found in social media. Those variables include age, information literacy related to the use of the library and reading culture, in addition to the use of devices related to the internet (laptops, desktops, smartphones, ipads). No statistically significant differences were found between gender and the evaluation of information in social media.

Conclusion: There are demographic factors influencing the ways by which social science students evaluate the information circulated in social media, and these results can be relied upon and benefited from in increasing university students’ awareness of how to evaluate and benefit from the information they obtain from social media.

Submitted: 11/6/2022, Accepted: 28/2/2023

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The impact of the international standard specification (ISO10015) requirements for training quality on organizational innovation (An applied study on the administrative and financial affairs sector at the Ministry of Information in State of Kuwait)

Mohammad A. Al-Haddad

Objectives: The present study aimed to determine the impact of the international standard specification (ISO10015) requirements for training quality on organizational innovation and applied in the administrative and financial affairs sector at the Ministry of Information in the State of Kuwait. Method: This study followed the analytical descriptive approach, the questionnaire was used as a tool for data collection, Participants were 272 employees in the administrative and financial affairs sector, and the data were analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient and simple regression analysis to test the study hypotheses. Results: The results of the research showed that all requirements of the international standard specification (ISO10015) which represented in (Identifying the performance gap, identifying training needs, designing and planning training, providing training, evaluating training outcomes, monitoring and improving the training process) are positively related with organizational innovation.The results also showed that the international standard specification (ISO10015) requirements had a significant effect on organizational innovation. Conclusion: The study concluded that all requirements of the international standard specification (ISO10015) are very important to achieving organizational innovation. Finaly, the study provided some recommendations as it is necessary to identify the (job performance gap) for the employees in the sector, define training needs continuously, design and plan training accurately and monitor and improve the Training Process.

Submitted: 28/11/2022, Accepted: 30/4/2023

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Statistical and Spatial Analysis of the Impact of COVID-19 Mortality on Some Demographic Factors in Kuwait in 2020

Nayef Alghais, Barrak Alkharaz

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic was directly responsible for a large number of deaths worldwide and Kuwait was no exception. This article attempts to analyze and understand any impacts of demographic factors on COVID-19 mortality in Kuwait over 2020. Specifically, age, nationality status, gender and population density of the deceased were considered. Method: Statistical and spatial analysis utilized ArcGIS and hypothesis testing to obtain the results. Results: Based on the results, it was found that all three demographic factors (age, nationality and gender) have significant statistical impact on COVID-19 mortality. As the elderly, males and citizens are the groups at highest risk of dying from COVID-19. Furthermore, a spatial analysis has shown that population density of Kuwait’s governorates does not have any significant impact on mortality due to COVID-19.  Conclusion: The findings suggest that any policies and public health campaigns for future pandemics or COVID-19 waves should be designed in a way to mitigate the impacts on the most vulnerable groups.

Submitted: 22/1/2022, Accepted: 27/4/2023

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Controls of transplantation of human organs and tissues in the Saudi system

Rashed H. AlNadhairi

Objective: The study aimed to identify the controls established by the Saudi regime and its regulations in transferring human organs and tissues from the living or the dead and then transplanting them into the living. Method: The study is based on the analytical approach, by analyzing the texts in the Saudi system and standing on their meanings and purposes in order to derive the provisions, standards and controls that the system wanted to activate and adopt, then criticize and direct them if there is a place for that. Results: The study revealed that the Saudi regime did not deviate from what was adopted by contemporary Islamic jurisprudence in its legislation and legal provisions related to the transfer and transplantation of organs. Taking precaution, and consistent with the general purposes of Islamic law in preserving souls and honor. Conclusion: The study concludes that the principle is the sanctity of the human body, and that organ transplantation can only be done in cases of necessity, with the need to take into account the standards and controls that preserve souls and honor.

 

Submitted: 5/1/2022, Accepted: 3/5/2023

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Aggressive Behavior Among Females During the Total Curfew in Kuwait due to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Maha Al-sejari, Hend Al-Ma’seb

Objective: The study objective was to detect differences between aggressive (anger, hostility, and violence) and socio-demographic variables among a sample of females who lived in Kuwait. Method: A non-random sample was recruited from 495 female participants via the WhatsApp platform. The study’s tool is an online survey consisted of two parts sociodemographic information, and Aggression questionnaire (AQ) that composed of 29 self-report items Likert scale with a higher score indicating more aggressive. Results: The current study’s outcome identified that during the total curfew females who are young, student, and single or divorced were at high risk and reported higher scores of physical and verbal aggression, anger, and hostility. Conclusion: These findings create the need to find effective solution to prevent violence during social distancing.

Submitted: 28/12/2022, Accepted: 14/5/2023

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Impact of Corporate Social Responsibility Disclosure on Financial Performance for Listed Companies in the GCC Countries

Mohammad Alfaraj, Abdullah Alajmi

Objectives: This study examined the effect of different dimensions of corporate social responsibility disclosure (community, employees, environment, and governance) on corporate financial performance using return on assets, return on equity, and net profit margin as measurement for corporate financial performance. Method: Secondary data for this study obtained from CSRHub and the 2020 and 2021 annual reports of top companies in gulf stock markets were analysed through correlation and regression analysis to examine the relationship between two research factors.  Results: The study found that only employee- and corporate governance-related disclosures information positively influenced the companies’ market-based measures of financial performance (net profit margin) but not the accounting-based measures (return on assets, return on equity). Conclusion: This study is considered one of the recent studies that highlights the importance of practising corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the GCC. Additionally, this study is deemed to be one of the most important studies that discuss the theories that explained the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and financial performance for companies listed on the GCC stock exchanges.

Submitted: 28/2/2023, Accepted: 3/7/2023

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The degree of cultural humility of faculty members at Kuwait University from the perspective of students: a sociological study

Nawaf Alanezi, Alanoud M. Alrashidi

Objectives: The study aimed to reveal the degree of cultural humility of faculty members at Kuwait University from three scops related to cultural openness, cultural excellence, and cultural interaction from the students' point of view. Method: The descriptive approach was used through a questionnaire prepared and translated for this purpose, in which 504 male and female students from Kuwait University enrolled in the first semester of the academic year 2022-2023 participated. Results: The results of the study showed that the faculty members had a high degree of cultural humility from the point of view of the participants. This may suggest the existence of a cultural understanding that encapsulates the mutual relations between students and teachers at Kuwait University. It may be due to the great similarity in culture on the one hand, or to the possibility that the faculty members at Kuwait University have this human quality and trait with which the students feel welcome and belonging and that they have the equal power and prestige enjoyed by the faculty. Conclusion: In general, despite the positive results of Kuwait University faculty members’ level of cultural humility, according to the participants' point of view, this does not mean a real guarantee of an educational environment that respects cultural differences or the absence of authoritarian relationship between students and faculties, as long as there are no educational programs that promote and confirm cultural humility, and this is a mere descriptive study that requires more qualitative studies to form a complete picture of the concept of cultural humility as a pedagogy, practice, and approach..

Submitted: 24/3/2023, Accepted: 16/7/2023

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Determinants of Corporate Social Responsibility Discourses in Kuwait: Uncovering Institutional Factors through a Corporate Communications Perspective

Manaf Bashir, Aroub Al Rifai

Objective: In an attempt to enrich and de-Westernize the CSR literature in Kuwait and uncover the external factors that are related to CSR, this research investigates the institutional factors influencing CSR in Islamic and conventional banks and telecommunications companies in Kuwait. Method: Utilizing institutional theory and in-depth interviews with 12 corporate communications practitioners, the study found varying albeit minimal contributions of institutional factors to the CSR practices of organizations. Results: Islam did not exert a direct influence on CSR in Kuwait, a majority Muslim country, but was found to be a framework within which organizations operate. Industry sectors, peer pressure, the media, NGOs, and the local community along with social media were also insignificant institutional factors. The environment was the only institutional factor that was found to exert influence on CSR, but its impact was marginal. Increasing levels of global environmental awareness, rather than country-specific factors, made Kuwaiti corporations pay attention to the environment. Conclusion: The implications of the findings suggest the need for government intervention to encourage the private sector to align its CSR practices with the country’s priorities. Corporate communicators need to strategically manage CSR where research and planning are conducted, and stakeholders such as local communities, NGOs, and company employees are involved.

Submitted: 8/3/2023, Accepted: 18/7/2023

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The reality of Practicing School Principals’ Discretionary Power in  Making Administrative Decisions in Kuwaiti Public Schools: An Exploratory study

Ayeshah A. Alazmi

Objectives: This study examined the reality of practicing school principals’ discretionary power in to making e administrative decisions in Kuwaiti Public Schools. Specifically, it sought to identify the motivating reasons behind this practice. Method: The researcher conducted and analyzed semi-structured interviews with  a purposive sample of 58 school principals in Kuwaiti public schools. Results: The results suggest that Kuwaiti Public-School principals exercise their discretion in administrative decisions on a near daily basis, considering it an integral part of their authority and responsibilities. Three main categories emerged from data analysis: (a) the consideration of public interest; (b) the ambiguity of certain rules and regulations; and (c) the support of managerial creativity and innovation. Conclusion: The study's results overall confirmed that participants perceive the importance of practicing discretionary power by the school principal in developing the school's work and keeping up with changes by allowing a margin of freedom and flexibility in decision-making, which increases opportunities for administrative creativity. This study's findings have practical implications for both future research and practice.

Submitted: 14/5/2023, Accepted: 3/9/2023

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The right of the accused to seek the assistance of a lawyer before the criminal court in Omani legislation: A comparative analytical study

NIZAR H. QESHTA, Fatema Kh. Al Abri

Objectives: The right of the accused to seek the assistance of a lawyer, which is a right branching from the right of defense. It has a great priority, especially in the trial stage, in order to achieve fair trial guarantees. The impact in the absence of this guarantee for the accused, Method: The study followed the descriptive and analytical approach to solve that problem in addition to the comparative approach. Results: we reached to an important result that the Omani legislature did not provide for the obligation to assign a lawyer for the adult accused in the trial stage, even if he was accused of a felony, while the text came on the obligation to assign a lawyer to the accused in an explicit and clear text if the accused was a juvenile. Finally, we recommended the Oman legislator to organize this Right and setting up a specific mechanism to ensure this important guarantee for the accused, in a manner that achieves compatibility between the provisions of the Basic Law and the Code of Criminal Procedure. Conclusion:  In this study, we have established the right of an accused person to defend himself before the Criminal Court. As we shed light on clarifying the concept of the right of an accused person to seek the assistance of a lawyer before the Criminal Court. Also we explaining the legal organization of this right in Omani law 

Submitted: 7/6/2023, Accepted: 2/10/2023

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The degree of primary school leaders’ practice of the dimensions of entrepreneurial leadership and its relationship to promoting a culture of quality from the point of view of teachers in the State of Kuwait

Munirah Khalid AlAjmi

Objectives: The study aimed to identify the degree of practice of the dimensions of entrepreneurial leadership among school leaders from the point of view of teachers in primary schools in the State of Kuwait, as well as the availability of elements of quality culture. In addition to clarifying the statistically significant relationship between the practice of school principals in the dimensions of entrepreneurial leadership and its impact on promoting a culture of quality within the school, Methodology: The study followed the descriptive approach, and a questionnaire was administered to a random sample of 1306 male and female teachers in primary schools in the State of Kuwait. Results: The results revealed that the degree to which school leaders practice the dimensions of entrepreneurial leadership has been very high, as has the promotion of a quality culture in school. The study revealed that there is a positive relationship at a high level between the degree of practice of entrepreneurial leadership by the school principal and the degree of availability of dimensions of quality culture in schools. Conclusion: The study concluded that there was a significant impact of the practice of entrepreneurial leadership by the school leaders on promoting a culture of quality in school. The study therefore recommended raising awareness among school leaders of the importance of the entrepreneurial role they play and building professional training programs for school leaders.

Submitted: 21/6/2023, Accepted: 29/11/2023

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Maritime Boundaries Delimitation between Kuwait and Iran, and Determining the Legal Status of Al-Durra Field (An Inferential Legal Study in the Light of International Law)

Sharefah Almuhana

Objectives: This study examined the disputes between States over the delimitation of maritime boundaries and the exploitation of the seas' natural resources. Particularly, this study intended to provide a comprehensive understanding of the dispute between Kuwait and Iran over the delimitation of maritime boundaries and the legal status of Al-Durra field in light of the international law of the sea. Method: The study provided an objective description and analysis of the rules governing the division of maritime zones between States, mentioned in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982. Also, the study examined other relevant treaties, multilateral or bilateral. The study also framed the relationship between national and international laws to reach just solutions based on international principles and norms. For a solid analysis, the study considered important historical events, coordinates and maps, official correspondence and statements, case law and arbitration, and State practices. Results: The study visualized important points of contention and legal arguments that are expected to be raised or relied upon by Kuwait and Iran if the dispute is raised before arbitration or international courts. Also, the study explored prospects of international arbitration and judiciary. Additionally, the study indicated the legislative deficiency in UNCLOS in regulating the issue of semi-enclosed seas, especially regarding the delimitation of maritime boundaries and the rights and duties of the States bordering these seas. Conclusion: The study encouraged the resolution of international disputes through peaceful and diplomatic means, including the advisory opinions of the International Court of Justice.

Submitted: 24/7/2023, Accepted: 29/11/2023

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Electronic Crimes against Kuwaiti Women and Mechanisms for Mitigation: A Field Study

Mohamed M. Alajmi

Objectives: This study aimed to uncover electronic crimes committed against Kuwaiti women and explore mechanisms to mitigate them. Method: The study used a descriptive approach, and a questionnaire was administered to 842 Kuwaiti women. The participants were distributed according to social status, educational level, and age variables. Results: The results indicated that the degree of women's exposure to cyberbullying was high, as was their exposure to electronic harassment and electronic terrorism. The study also found a high level of agreement within the participants regarding mechanisms to mitigate electronic crimes against Kuwaiti women. There were significant differences in the responses of the participants based on social status variable, in favor of unmarried women. However, there were no differences in responses related to educational level and age.

Submitted: 13/7/2023, Accepted: 29/11/2023

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Kuwaiti-Omani relations in the first half of the twentieth century

Dr. Nasser Dahi Falah Al-Hajri

Objectives: This study aims to identify the nature of economic and social relations between Kuwait and Oman, the most important aspects of economic activities between the two countries, its role in enhancing communication between the two countries, and the most important aspects of this communication, through families documents, which documented the relations between Kuwait and Oman in the first half of the century.

Curriculum: The study used both the descriptive and analytical historical method. Information was collected from Kuwaiti families documents and British documents and analyzed it. The study initially explains the historical roots of trade relations between Kuwait and Oman, the manifestations of commercial activity between the two sides, and the role of Kuwaiti maritime transport ships in enhancing trade communication between Kuwait and Oman.

Results: families documents are one of the important historical sources for studying the history of the Arabian Gulf, and they can be used to document the history of the Gulf, especially the economic, social and cultural aspects, which were not given the same degree as the political aspects, with the hope that more families documents will be revealed in the coming years.

Conclusion: The study concluded with a set of results, including: The documents showed the depth of economic and social relations between Kuwait and Oman. This cooperation enhanced trade exchange between the two sides at the official and popular levels, and cooperation in the field of maritime transport, and contributed to strengthening cooperation between the two sides at all levels.

Submitted: 21/9/2023, Accepted: 14/1/2024

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The Implementation of Quality Standards (NAEYC) in Nurseries from the Perspective of Parents in Kuwait

 Dr. Laila Alkhayat

Objectives: This research aimed to investigate the quality of nurseries in Kuwait Perspective of Parents, based on the NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) quality standards in early childhood education. These standards encompassed four areas. The first area, titled "Curriculum and Teaching Methods," included two standards (curriculum and teaching). The second area, titled "Nursery Management and Teaching Staff Competence," included several standards (leadership and management, staff competencies and preparation, child progress assessment). The third area, titled "Social Interaction," included several standards (relationships, community relationships, families). The fourth area, titled "Commitment to Health Procedures and Physical Environment Quality," included two standards (health and physical environment). Method: The research used a descriptive-analytical approach, with a sample of 1,222 parents of children in nurseries. Their opinions were collected through a questionnaire prepared by the researcher. Results: The research findings indicated that the responses of the sample members regarding the sets of statements related to nursery quality standards strongly supported the presence of quality standards in nurseries overall. The study also confirmed that there were no statistically significant differences for the variables (educational region, relationship with the child in the nursery, parental educational qualification, child's age in the nursery) in the four areas and the overall score of nursery quality standards. Conclusion: This study recommended integrating education quality standards and NAEYC standards into the nursery system in Kuwait. educating teachers and nursery workers about the importance of education quality. disseminating nursery quality concepts among parents. introducing quality concepts and (NAEYC)standards in the curricula and courses taught in colleges of education in Kuwaiti universities, especially for early childhood teachers.

Submitted: 19/9/2023, Accepted: 14/1/2024

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The Level of Awareness of tenth grade students in the Sultanate of Oman about life in the seas and oceans in the light of some variables

Abdullah. K. Ambusaidi, Huda M. ALdayri, Waleed S. Al Rawahi, Raya A. S. ALyazeedi

Submitted: 8/9/2023, Accepted: 14/1/2024

 

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TweetSentKW: A corpus of multi-label emotion analysis for Kuwaiti Arabic tweets

Dr. Eiman Alsharhan, Dr. Eisa Alnashmi, Prof. Allan Ramsay

Objectives: Arabic language is primarily represented in two varieties: Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) and Dialectal Arabic (DA). With the advent of social media, there has been a shift from the predominant use of MSA in writing to the incorporation of DA, thereby generating extensive resources for dialectal text studies. Kuwaiti Arabic (KA), a sub-variety of the Gulf dialect and one of the five principal Arabic dialects, differs significantly from MSA in all linguistic aspects. KA is an under-resourced language with a notable deficiency in language resources. The development of emotion classification tools relies heavily on the availability of resources such as annotated corpora. This study introduces TweetSentKW, a multi-label emotion annotated corpus for KA. Method: TweetSentKW was developed by collecting tweets and selecting relevant emotional classes for the annotation process. Each tweet was annotated by three independent annotators. Results: The TweetSentKW corpus comprises 40,000 manually labeled tweets across various topics. Besides constructing the corpus, this study provides a comprehensive analysis of annotator behavior and the co-occurrences of emotions. The corpus is anticipated to significantly contribute to sentiment analysis research, a crucial method for gauging public opinion. Conclusion: The widespread use of social media platforms, such as Twitter, has led to continuous and uninhibited public expression of opinions on diverse issues. The public and archived nature of these opinions presents a rich opportunity for researchers to analyze and understand public sentiment and perspectives.

Submitted: 30/8/2023, Accepted: 14/1/2024

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Sociological analysis of crime rates among women compared to males in Kuwait from 1999 to 2018

Hussain M. Al-Fadhli - Fahad A. Alnaser - Afrah A. Hassan

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the social analysis of crime rates among women compared to men in Kuwait in the period from 1999 to 2018. Method: This study relied on the qualitative approach through the use of secondary data by analyzing crime rates in Kuwait with a focus on women's involvement in crime. In light of the theory of modernization, globalization and feminist theory, using official data that were published from 1999 to 2018. Results: The results of this study concluded that Kuwaiti men committed higher crimes (felonies and misdemeanors) than Kuwaiti women and non-Kuwaitis (both men and women). Kuwaiti women committed more misdemeanors than felonies. Physical body injuries defamation and insults are the highest misdemeanors committed by Kuwaiti women followed by property related crimes.  In contrast, non-Kuwaiti women committed property related misdemeanors followed by physical body injuries, defamation and insults. Public interest offences are the least committed crimes by all women. The number of Kuwaiti imprisoned women reached (51) from 1999 to 2018, compared to the number of non-Kuwaiti imprisoned women (229). A social analysis of these results was presented in the light of the theory of modernization, globalization and feminist theory. Conclusion: Due to limited research, the study recommends more scientific studies on female criminality in Kuwait and the Gulf countries. Results have implications for planning and social policy.

Submitted: 1/6/2022, Accepted: 30/1/2024

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Analysis of urban and population changes in Tabarjal City in Saudi Arabia for the period 1975-2022 using GIS and remote sensing

Abdulkarim M. Al Sharari- Nazeeh I. Almanasyeh

Objectives: The study of urban change at the city and district levels is of great importance for development of modern city planning scenarios. This study aimed to analyze population and urban change in the city of Tabarjil for the period 1975-2022 using GIS and remote sensing. Method: The study adopted the analytical descriptive approach to achieving its objectives using analytical techniques in GIS and remote sensing (RS) technologies. Results: The study revealed that urban change of the city of Tabarjil grows between 1975 - 2022 was classified into 4 phases, each phase with different advantages in terms of quantity and urban type and in terms of the causes and forms of change, and the urban mass of the city took the direction of expansion in response to population changes in urban land uses. The results also showed a significant population change and growth in the city during the study period, where the population increased from 1500 to 78354 capita at the end of phase IV in 2022. There was uneven in the distribution, change and population density of the city's districts owing to varying quantity, type of economic services and activities prevailing at the district level. Conclusions: The study recommends the development of a comprehensive geospatial database of the study area in which all spatial data of the city of Tabarjil are incorporated researchers can easily access and extract information from it, become a reliable and accurate source of information on the governorate, including population information and its natural and environmental characteristics.

Submitted: 6/11/2023, Accepted: 25/1/2024

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The social traditions of coffee in the Arabian Peninsula through the writings of Western travelers: Another perspective

Yasser H. Alhiagi 

Objectives: This study aimed to shed light on Western travelers' writings about coffee, along with the associated customs, traditions, and practices during their visits to the Arabian Peninsula from the beginning of the 10th Hijri/16th AD century to the 14th Hijri/20th AD century. Method: The study relied on a descriptive-analytical approach in examining texts related to the social aspects of coffee. It involved collecting facts, interpreting and analyzing them, and deriving results and implications from the content of these journeys. Results: The study highlighted on what numerous Western travelers recorded about the customs and social traditions of coffee in the regions they visited, exploring coffee gatherings, the stories shared in them, as well as the utensils, tools involved. The research focused on six axes: the uniqueness of coffee in the Arabian Peninsula, coffee preparation and presentation, coffee tools, customs, traditions, and hospitality etiquette, coffee as a cultural space, and coffee and coffeehouses. Conclusion: Coffee has consistently served as a means of connection between Western travelers and the residents of the regions they traveled. It facilitated encounters with imams, princes, nobles, notables, and the general public in coffeehouses. Travelers documented their observations on coffee customs and social traditions in the areas they visited, contributing valuable historical sources, a comprehensive record, and scholarly material that aids researchers in understanding various aspects of the culture and heritage of the Arabian Peninsula.

Submitted: 19/11/2023, Accepted: 21/1/2024

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Ethics of the School Counseling Profession from the Perspective of School Principals in the Sultanate of Oman

Dr. Hamid bin Muslim Al-Saeedi, Khalid bin Juma Al Sheedi

Objectives: The study aimed to investigate the level of ethical practices in the counseling profession from the perspective of the school principal, the supervisor, and its relationship to some variables such as gender and job in some primary schools in the Sultanate of Oman.

Method:  The study used the descriptive survey method, and the observation checklist was built, which includes four domains (general principles, professional competencies and personal characteristics, confidentiality, counseling relationships), and after verifying the reliability and validity of the measure, the observation card was applied to (60) school counselors of both sexes selected using a simple random way.  Results: The study found that the practice of ethical standards in the school counseling profession among school counselors in primary education schools had a very high average score of (4.41), where the order of the averages of the degree of domains from highest to lowest were as follows: counseling relations, general principles, confidentiality, professional competencies and personal characteristics. The results also indicated no statistically significant differences in the degree of ethical practices among school counselors in primary education schools based on gender and specialization variables. Conclusions: The study recommends prioritizing specialized programs in educational psychological counseling, and the formulation of an ethical practices document for psychological and social specialists, endorsed by the Ministry of Education, to guide the work of school counselors, regardless of their title or specialization.

Submitted: 19/11/2023, Accepted: 21/1/2024

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Sleep Disorders and Health Behavior among a sample of Patients with Diabetes at Kuwait City

Prof. Rami Abdulla Tashtoush, Adel Talihan Al-Mutairi

Objectives: The study aimed to identify sleep disorders and healthy behavior in diabetics in Kuwait City.  Method: The descriptive analytical approach was used, and convenient sample of (300) people with diabetes in Kuwait City was selected. Two scales were administered: the Sleep Disorders Scale, prepared by Al-Banna, and the Health Behavior Scale, prepared by Al-Samadi and Al-Samadi. Results: The results showed that the level of sleep disorders was high in general, and on all dimensions, which are respectively: insomnia disorder, hypersomnia disorder, sleep disturbance as a result of dreams, wakefulness and sleep schedule disorder, and that the level of commitment to healthy behavior came low, as it came after taking care of the body to a medium degree, after taking care of health to a medium degree, after dealing with medications to a low degree, and after psychosocial dimension to a low degree. Finally, the results showed a statistically significant negative correlation between sleep disorders in all their dimensions and healthy behavior in all its dimensions. Conclusion: The study recommended providing counseling services and programs for diabetics, to develop healthy behavior, provide psychological support to diabetics in Kuwait City, help them adapt and live with diabetes, and prepare counseling programs for diabetes, to reduce the symptoms of sleep disorders.

Submitted: 3/1/2024, Accepted: 7/3/2024

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Early Arabic Linguistic Policy and the Role of political Support in the Standardization of the Arabic Language.

Dr. Talal A. Al- Jassar

Objective: The study aimed to focus on the importance of political support in the success of linguistic planning paths. In the absence of this support, it is not possible to succeed in arriving at a standard language and then using it as a unified national language for society in all areas of the state. And how the absence of political support has led to a decline in the status of the Arabic language. In the Arab societies children’s inclination to foreign languages as a cultural gateway to human civilization, the study then seeks to answer a major question: How was the Arabic language able to spread and advance over all languages with the emergence of the Islamic State at that early time, until it became the language of knowledge and sovereignty without dispute? To answer this question, the study revealed the existence of a successful Arabic language policy at an early stage, which was with clear political support from the ruling authority that made the Arabic language a standard language, which provided it with reasons for success and continuity, and made the Islamic world to be the scientific metropolises and research centers. Methods: The study relied on the comparative descriptive analytical approach in a specific historical context by reviewing the status of the Arabic language in an early and current period with some modern languages. Results: The Study concluded that the steps of early Arabic linguistic planning agreed with current linguistic planning approaches, and the linguistic Planning that accompanied modern languages resembled the paths of Arabic linguistic planning to reach a standard language. Also, that the Standardization of languages does not succeed unless there is a supportive and implemented political will. Conclusion: The study concluded that political support for the Arabic language in the Umayyad and Abbasid eras led to serious and effective linguistic planning that promoted the Arabic language to be a global language, while in our present time the current Arabic linguistic policy has reached a stage of stagnation, and its work has been limited to clarifications and recommendations, due to lack of serious political interference in the application.

Submitted: 20/9/2023, Accepted: 7/3/2024

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Factors affecting Kuwait University students’ adoption of social media

Yousef M. AlFailakawi, Khaled Alqahs

Objectives: The aim of the current study was to explore how social media is diffused among Kuwait University students, in the light of the diffusion of innovation theory. Method: A non-random convenience sample of 2000 Kuwait University students who used social media tools was selected. A questionnaire was the major tool used. Descriptive and Inferential statistics were used. Mann-Whitney test, Kruskal-Wallis test, Spearman’s correlation, Linear mixed-effects models were major statistical tool. Results: New social media applications were more advantageous and easier to use than old social media networks. These new social media applications were also compatible with the user’s lifestyle, were typically available to try before adoption, and offered benefits to the user. The reason for adoption varied by gender. For males, relative advantages superseded other reasons. Females, on the other hand, found observability to be the dominant factor. Conclusion: The research results might be utilized for brand or product promotion, publicity, or organizational objectives. The research might assist determine which subjects can be skilfully employed in political or social media news releases. The findings reveal how communication messages, public service announcements, news, and other targeted communications might be tailored to the desired audience.

Submitted: 19/6/2023, Accepted: 10/3/2024

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Spatial Analysis of Population and Residential Characteristics in the Villages of Al-Ahsa Oasis: Geographic Study

Prof. Mohamed Nasef, Hassan Al-Jaber

Objectives:  The study aimed to analyze the demographic, economic, social and residential characteristics of the residents of the villages of Al-Ahsa Oasis, shed light on their geographical distribution, and identify their problems. Method:  the study used the inductive approach and a group of methods, including technical, quantitative and cartographic, to find the relationship between the study variables, based on the field study. Results: The study found a difference in the level of population distribution in the villages of the oasis. The scattered northern villages are far apart compared to their eastern counterparts, which seems more integrated, and the standard of living has risen for many populations of the oasis villages, with more than a third of the population having an average monthly income of more than 12 thousand riyals, and an increase in family size, as the group of more than five individuals has acquired approximately from half of the sample size, the low percentage of housing built on village farms outside the built-up area, and the high level of services in the oasis villages in general, especially infrastructure services, and their compatibility with the population distribution. Conclusion: Studying population characteristics in its three dimensions: demographic, economic, and social, and analyzing residential characteristics helped in understanding the geographical variation of the population of the villages of Al-Ahsa Oasis and its results.

Submitted: 12/12/2023, Accepted: 10/3/2024

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Challenges of Gulf Security Cooperation and its Future in the Light of Gulf Security Agreements aimed at Protecting Collective National Security

Dr. Fahed A. Abdulrahman

Objectives: The study aimed to review the most prominent Gulf security agreements aimed at protecting the collective national security of the Gulf Cooperation Council GCC states, discuss the reality of the Gulf collective security theory as a basis for joint security cooperation, and analyze the most prominent challenges of Gulf security cooperation in the light of the collective security theory, in addition to presenting some future recommendations to decision-makers and specialized jurists with expertise who are related with the national security of the GCC states.

Method: The study followed the historical approach, which includes an illustrative account of what has been enacted in organizing Gulf security cooperation agreements between the GCC states, whether at the national level for each country, or at the Gulf regional level for the GCC states combined. In addition to the analytical approach, which includes an explanation of the most prominent challenges of Gulf security cooperation in light of the Gulf security agreements aimed at protecting collective national security.

Results: The results showed that the most prominent aspects of Gulf security cooperation were represented in a number of agreements and strategies for enhancing security cooperation between the various security agencies in the GCC countries, starting with the comprehensive security strategy of 1987, up to the amended security agreement for the GCC states of 2012. There are challenges faced by the GCC states within the framework of the security cooperation process, some of which are related to terrorism, and others to the implicit competitiveness between the Gulf states, in addition to the legal challenges resulting from the differences of some of the GCC states over a number of provisions of the joint security agreement of the GCC states of 2012.

Conclusion: The absence of a joint Gulf security agreement that establishes integrated Gulf security cooperation, and the absence of a joint Gulf security institution operating in accordance with Gulf laws related to the national security of the GCC states, despite the existence of military, economic and political cooperation between these countries.

Submitted: 6/8/2023, Accepted: 10/3/2024

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Power Transition and Satisfaction of GCC Member States: A Dyadic Analysis of Voting Behavior at the UNGA from 1946 to 2022

Dr. Abdulaziz G. Almuslem

Objective: this article aims to determine the extent Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states would be satisfied on the international political hierarchy in the event of successful power transition from an American-led global order to a Chinese-led one. Methods: a comparative empirical analysis with ordinary least squares regression of voting dyads at the United Nations General Assembly from 1946 to 2022 between all states and the United States on one hand, and all states and China on the other. Special attention is given to the GCC members since their joining of the UN. Also included is a brief historical analysis of GCC group prior to and after independence, in addition to a critique of the balancing paradigm in international relations. Results: results indicate that the power transition paradigm is better suited for studying the international relations of the GCC member states, while the balancing framework is saturated with logically inconsistent assumptions rendering it degenerative. Conclusion: this research concludes that the GCC states are currently considered relatively unsatisfied with the US lead global order, and that their position on Organski’s power pyramid will shift to the satisfied side given successful power transition to a Chinese lead global order.

Submitted: 25/11/2023, Accepted: 2/4/2024

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National Plans On the work program of the Government of State of Kuwait to prevent the effects of Violence against women.

Bibi Mahmoud Ashour, Dr. Omaima Abu Al-Khair

Aims: The study aimed to identify the Social, Psychological and economic effects of violence, identify the national plans to reduce it, the role of the state and the relevant government institutions to reduce it, reveal the differences between the sample of the study on violence against women according to the study variables, and reveal the mechanisms for preventing it in the work program of the government of the state of Kuwait from the point of view of the study sample. Method: The study relied on the descriptive analytical approach, the sample consisted of (65) women activists and workers with the issues of Battered Women in the state of Kuwait, and the data was collected through a questionnaire consisting of (31) items distributed over four dimensions. Results: the results of the study found that forms of violence against Women as a whole and all its dimensions came with an average rating, and the effects of violence against women as a whole and all its dimensions came with a significant degree. The strategies adopted to reduce violence against women and the role of the state and national institutions have also been significantly reduced. The results indicated that there are no statistically significant differences on the effects of violence against women and the strategies used to reduce it, the role of the state and national institutions to reduce it, and there are no statistically significant differences on all aspects of violence against women attributed to changes in age and educational level. Conclusions:  The study showed that there are several diverse effects of violence against women in Kuwaiti society. the government of the state of Kuwait has taken some measures to deal with violence against women, including issuing legislation and measures to combat violence against women, and providing psychological support to battered women.

Submitted: 2/11/2023, Accepted: 2/4/2024

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Does Geopolitical Risk Influence GCC Trade Flows? Evidence From a Country-Pair Model

Dr. Wael M Alshuwaiee, Prof. Nayef N. Alshammari, Dr. Sultan Alshammari

Objectives: The study aimed to investigate the impact of geopolitical risk on bilateral trade flows between countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and their 36 main trading partners that have free trade agreements (FTAs). Method: The study used data from the period of 1975 to 2018. The model is estimated using different panel specifications. These include pooled OLS, fixed and random effects techniques, and cross-sectional unit independency tests. Results: Using the Kao test, the determinant factors of bilateral trade are shown to be cointegrated. Furthermore, the model is estimated with cross-sectional unit independency using Pesaran’s test, the Frees test, and Friedman’s test of cross-sectional independence. Importantly, according to the appropriate fixed effect findings, geopolitical risk has a negative impact on GCC countries’ bilateral trade with their main FTA trading partners. Conclusion: Higher geopolitical risk between the GCC and the FTA partners brings about higher transportation costs, which influences trade flow patterns and firms’ decisions about exporting and importing, thereby leading to a decline in investments.

Submitted: 1/10/2023, Accepted: 2/4/2024

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Kuwait’s Mediation in the Qatari-Gulf Crisis (2017-2021): Challenges and Obstacles.. and the Success of Diplomatic Efforts

Dr. Wafaa A. Alaradi, Dr. Hasan A. Johar

Objectives: The study revealed the successful factors of the Kuwaiti mediation in the Gulf-Qatari crisis (2017-2021). The paths of Kuwaiti diplomatic efforts were analyzed considering the causes of the dispute, in addition to various challenges it faced until the final reconciliation in January 2021. Method: A combined methodology of content analysis and case study was used besides the historical approach. System analysis was utilized to evaluate the hindering factors versus mediation efforts led by the late Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. Results: The study identified the adversity of the Gulf crisis, which disclosed a complex state of conflict of interests, lack of trust between its parties, and an unprecedented intensive media war in which all traditional and modern means were mobilized. In addition, opponents’ hard position prevented any neutral mediation to facilitate rapid progress or bringing viewpoints toward ​​satisfactory solutions. Even though, the study confirmed the efficiency of Kuwaiti diplomacy in one of the most difficult tasks throughout its history. Despite serious obstacles which slowed its pace, Kuwait’s mediation reflected high skills in organizing political summits, direct and indirect negotiations, and shuttle trips. Most importantly, its steadfastness, patience diplomacy, and gradual progression, have positively boosted a final reconciliation. Conclusion: The study confirmed that the success of the Kuwaiti mediation has saved the GCC Entity and enhanced stability in the Gulf, as well as alleviating the intensity of other hot regional conflicts. The need to develop institutional frameworks was recommended to contain aggravations of internal disputes between GCC members.

Submitted: 13/12/2023, Accepted: 8/5/2024

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