Are the social, economic, and political options for individuals in Kuwait society so small that many young men are so extremely alienated and adrift that they become prey to recruiters promising them release from their worldly misery through hope in some act of terror?
GULF ROAD LIFE, KUWAIT
In a juxtaposition to the senseless violence carried out by international parties in Iraq, there was a major fight involving a few American soldiers in Kuwait on the Arabian Gulf Street, which is the center for cruising Porsches, Lamborghinis, and Hummers in Kuwait on most nights of the week.
The ARAB TIMES reported: “A fight broke out between Kuwaitis and US army soldiers on the Arabian Gulf Street Monday evening when the driver of a bus belonging to the US army allegedly drove recklessly and almost caused several accidents.”
The episode eventually led not only to a great traffic jam but to U.S. soldiers getting out of the bus, shooting in the air and adamantly shouting again and again, that they were above the law in Kuwait, i.e. they were untouchable.
As I read the line in the paper: “An eyewitness told the Arab Times that the US soldiers were driving recklessly” and “more than once the soldiers said there is no authority over them and that they are above the law in Kuwait," I thought to myself:
That is exactly what a lot of Kuwaitis in the country say as they break the law or flout their tribal, political or social connections in this country through a system called "wasta."
Many Kuwaitis should see themselves as that arrogant.
I am certain that many expats here feel the same way as I do after seeing how some Kuwaitis drive and break laws—believing that their bloodlines or passports will get them out of any jam.
On the other hand, perhaps this ARAB TIMES article is intended to send a message to the US forces to clean up their behavior in the Gulf—or their stay will be shorter here than anticipated.
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