Going over news archives of ten to twenty years back provides a shocking yet an interesting analysis of how far the world has come and how things common and usual for us have evolved through the years. Studying the recent past through the eyes of the newspapers provides many reasons for how things have shaped up today in the world of politics, religion, culture, environment and society. One realizes that things have not always been the same but ever evolving. But to capture a true understanding of where one is and where one is to head in future in terms of national and social basis, studying the fragmented past which provides chunks of clues and information relating heavily to our present, one can form a framework and an understanding based on one’s own analysis as to the reason or the path of changes that occur. For that matter history is not confined to the last century alone, but ten twenty years back and all the happenings during those years are part of the major history which should be understood as well to account for the fast changing and evolving present. Cold wars, political disputes, invasions and massive massacres and call for pleas have been present in news over the recent years but now that things have gotten so far ahead, reflecting upon the time during which this all was happening and taking roots, it develops a connection of many things. Such is reflected in the article published in 1991 on august 4th, titled “Iranians Steal into Kuwait by Sea” which provides the case scenario of Kuwait following the very famous Gulf War, which changed the international relations tremendously during that time and the time to follow.
Chris Hedges of New York times reported that around 400 Iranians were taught proceeding their way illegally into Kuwait in search for jobs. This figure was around 100,000 prior to the Gulf war but with massive security measures taken on to make Kuwait a safer place once the Americans arrived there, all illegal human importing was banned and strictly dealt with by the police officials. Iran relied heavily on Kuwait to decrease its unemployment rate and with Kuwait being a much developed state than Iran at that time, it provided them not only employment opportunities but also trade opportunities which was mostly done via smuggling in and out of Kuwait, to and from Iraq. Dhows run by experienced and more or less like
Arabian pirate captains whose family business and heritage was to rule the water of the Persian Gulf and mainly indulge in import and export of people, drugs, gold or anything valuable that would earn them money. The Iranians in search of jobs also paid them for their services, but as much as the police had the authority to catch the Iranians once they were found illegally living and earning in Kuwait, there was less they could do to prevent these pirate captains from continuously engaging in illegal trafficking. This is because they also bring in high class fish to the Kuwait Port which they sell honestly and deal fairly. The job of illegal immigration is done in secret which though is dealt with late but is not yet caught during its act. Down from 100,000 illegal Iranians working and living in Kuwait, now in 1991, they were about 5000. The police have in fact inquired two or three captains of their involvement in human trafficking but their response has been in nothing more than a clear cut denial of the entire situation, and while they trade honestly with fish, fruits, vegetables, and oils apparently, police finds it restricted with its hands tied.
Gulf war changing the condition of Kuwait forever, let it be in terms of trade, culture and politics. The article gives insight into how conventionally the trade of Kuwait and Iran was running with Iran illegally benefiting more and Kuwait being highly lenient with the entire situation despite of having ample knowledge. The Gulf War created barriers for Iran to entry into Kuwait in the way it used to before, which pushed it to find solutions in its own state, while Kuwait rested in the mercy of American development measures that promptly followed there, making security and rules and regulations tougher than they were ever before. Before it was Iran and Iraq that benefited from Kuwait’s glorified state of wealth and ample work opportunities being home to Sheikhs and Arab rich families. Now, after the Gulf War and later years to come and up till now Kuwait gradually has become highly westernized with the influence of US in its culture, tradition and social and political matters. Kuwaitees are found in western attire in American style malls and public places and companies built and run in highly Westernized fashion and objectives that are highly linked with how the US companies are run. Kuwait, thus, remains as always a state that is exploited by others, where before the treasure stayed and sustained in the Middle East alone, now the West takes fruits too, where the early 1990’s were a significant era to understand the history of the relationship between the West and the Middle East and how the trade, security and political scenario of the richest states of the world changed dramatically. US pretty much governs the trade of many Middle East states giving Iran less influence, forcing it to develop its own land to proceed for economic development.
