In May 20205, in what many are calling a turning point in the relationship between Iran and Kuwait, Head of Kuwait International Automobile Club (KIAC) Essa Hamzah met with Head of Touring and Automobile Club of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mohammad Hossein Soufi during an official visit to Tehran.
Expressing satisfaction over his presence in Iran, Hamzah said, “Soufi is not only the head of a successful club but also an honored friend and a real brother.”
Soufi presented a comprehensive report on the history, activities, and achievements of the Touring and Automobile Club in fields such as issuing documents and international certificates, car assistance, tourism, and promoting cultural rallies.
Congratulating Hamzah on his new appointment within the structure of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), he emphasized the use of huge capacities for promoting bilateral ties.
Hamzah praised Iran’s status in the FIA body, saying the Touring and Automobile Club of the Islamic Republic of Iran is one of the most important and influential members of the FIA.
He added, “I have been in charge of the Kuwait International Automobile Club (KIAC) for 30 years. I have come to Iran for the first time. I admit that my biggest mistake was not making this trip 20 years ago.”
During the meeting, both sides emphasized cooperation in holding international rallies, exchanging know-how on the auto racing and tourism sectors, and rendering special services to each other’s tourists.
Pointing to the increasing interest of Kuwaiti citizens in traveling to Iran, Hamzah said: “Given our studies, Iran has turned into a more attractive destination for Kuwaiti tourists.”
He called cuisine, weather, nature, and proximity as advantages of traveling to Iran for Kuwaiti people, predicting that many Kuwaitis will choose Iran for spending holidays during the upcoming summer.
Soufi emphasized the role of media in introducing the operations of automobile clubs. “We have established extensive connections with domestic media as well as the media of the International Automobile Federation, which has made the activities of the Iranian Association visible at global level. In this regard, we would like to have extensive media cooperation in this direction with your presence as the FIA’s Vice President of Mobility.” Hamzah welcomed this proposal, adding, “I frequently pursue the news of the Iranian automobile club in FIA media. I know that Iranian people are interested in the media and pursuing their activities.”
Expressing satisfaction over inking a memorandum of understanding with the Touring and Automobile Club of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the near future, he called it an effective measure in promoting future collaborations.
Kuwait’s Place in the Middle East
Kuwait has a reputation for being America’s closest ally in the region and a country that has an almost uncanny ability to bring people together.
Gratitude often has a very brief shelf life in today’s “what have you done for me lately” world. But when it comes to Kuwait, the gratitude the country feels for America runs deep, mostly because a U.S.-dominated coalition saved Kuwait from a helpless situation in 1990.
When Iraq invaded the emirate in August of that year, Saddam Hussein had the fourth-largest land army in the world. This battle-tested army had just fought Iran, one of the most aggressive nations in the world, to a stalemate. Hussein had every reason to believe that his well-entrenched army could withstand American onslaughts long enough for him to negotiate a favorable way out.
But Hussein either overlooked or did not know a fundamental rule of desert warfare, which is that there is always an exposed flank.
Ever since then, Kuwait has been an important staging area for U.S. forces in the Middle East. Kuwait is also a storeroom, which is just as important.
Any movement closer to Iran, a country that has come close to blows with the United States on multiple occasions, is troubling, to say the least. If war between the two comes and Kuwait sits it out, the U.S. military does not have much of a Plan B.
Speaking of hopeless situations, Kuwaiti diplomats successfully negotiated deals in seemingly intractable conflicts, like the Afghanistan War and the Israel-Gaza conflict. The Hamas settlement did not last, but unfortunately, you cannot win them all.
So, Kuwait is an important American ally diplomatically as well as militarily. The prospect of losing such an important partner is disturbing, at best.
Military Facilities in Kuwait
For purposes of this post, we will focus on the military aspects of the alliance between America and Kuwait. It is hard to believe, but Operation Desert Shield was more than 30 years ago. Many military facilities in Kuwait date back to this period. They need renovation and expansion.
“Rear area” locations like Kuwait don’t need many combat contractors, although this nation has seen its share of terrorist attacks. Instead, contractors in Kuwait usually focus on facilities and combat support.
Aging facilities must be updated and renovated. Runways must be longer and harbors more advanced. Contractors are ideal for such short-term projects. When the construction project ends, the government’s financial commitment ends as well. Construction contractors are flexible on the front end as well. Instead of spending time on detailed planning, government officials must only sign off on the contractor’s designs and send contractors to the field.
Usually, private contractors are onsite managers who keep the work moving on schedule. Kuwaiti locals typically do the actual construction work. This arrangement helps the local community feel invested in the project, reducing the likelihood of theft, vandalism, or something even worse.
Nevertheless, these construction sites usually require armed security guards (private military contractors). Construction sites in Kuwait are not nearly as secure as construction sites in Kansas.
Injury Compensation Available
Defense Base Act benefits are available to contractors who sustained a traumatic injury or occupational disease while they were stationed overseas in a war zone. Let’s break down these requirements individually.
Covered contractors include combat, combat support, and construction contractors. Technically, DBA benefits are available to any non-government employees performing government-related work, such as Peace Corps volunteers.
Falls are the most common traumatic injuries. These injuries are common among combat and non-combat contractors alike. Hearing loss is one of the most common occupational diseases. Many military facilities are noisy enough to damage hearing, but not noisy enough to mandate ear protection.
“Overseas” usually means any foreign country. Some U.S. possessions, such as Guam and Guantanamo Bay, are also “overseas” locations for DBA purposes. A country is a “war zone” if that country has any regular U.S. military presence, such as an embassy guard.
DBA benefits include lost wage replacement and medical bill payment. For more information about these benefits, contact Barnett, Lerner, Karsen & Frankel, P.A.