We are relieved to say goodbye to a year full of drastic events for the Gulf and Arabs — that is the year 2013 — 13 as a number itself is believed to be unlucky. These 12 months have made it feel like a decade.

In Kuwait, we had almost two general elections, one was in December 2012, but the assembly did not meet till early 2013, and soon it was dissolved for another general election in July 2013, which was a short campaign and was held in the month of Ramadan. Before the year ended we had two new cabinets. The whole purpose of the recurring political crises, was to attain a moderate parliament, so it could move the country ahead, to satisfy a much-needed demand by the population to reform much of the public sector.

In three months (late October and whole of November and December) 10 interrogations by MPs has been submitted to various ministers, including the prime minister in person — which is a record. All the disputed changes in electoral rules and regulations in the electoral laws, were designed to avoid an avalanche of ministers’ interrogations, which was present in the pervious assemblies. However the target was not met. In fact, the political situation in Kuwait has become more complicated and difficult to manage, neither the so-called traditional opposition was satisfied with the new arrangements of changing the electoral law, nor the newcomers to the political scene. As a result the masses from different quarters become more frustrated resulting in political apathy.

In the last 52 years, since 1962, what has been called the era of Kuwait’s democracy, there where 31 new cabinets that were formed. By simple calculations it means a new cabinet every one year and seven months, a record of rapid change. Kuwait had 17 parliaments, very rarely having completed their tenure. Some see it as a sign of an unstable political situation, which needs to be addressed soon. The year 2013 was ill-fated, with the interrogations of ministers and the prime minister, something that did not happen in the last 50 years.

Seeking common ground

Kuwait hosted the 34th summit meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council — it was difficult one, with two major schools of thought evident — one that sees the Gulf states surrounded by threats from all sides, sectarianism and civil wars, and wants to distance the region from these upheavals by moving towards a confederation. The other school prefers to keep matters as they are. Kuwait had to work hard to keep the boat afloat, seeking common ground which was not easy, but the summit concluded with a compromise moving the whole issue to a later stage.

This year witnessed deepening political crises in Egypt, Tunisia, Yemen and Syria. Politics in the first two states were dramatic, both were governed by Islamic parties and saw changes. Some of them were rather violent where hundreds of lives were lost, especially in Egypt, which plunged into civil dispute and even witnessed terrorist acts in some quarters. The GCC extended financial help, but what is required is more money and political support for Egypt, to ensure stability in the region.

The sudden loss of power wielded by Islamist groups made Turkey nervous as it felt the interference of Egyptian army could be replicated by the Turkish army as well. A disagreement between moderate Arab countries, including the GCC and Turkey grew over Egyptian affairs, and for the first time in recent years both don’t see eye to eye on the unfolding events, especially after their close cooperation over Syria. Iran’s accord with the West led by US rang a warning bell across the Arab world, more so in GCC capitals, where it was felt that they had not been consulted as neighbouring states and their interests were somehow neglected or could probably have even been compromised, taking in consideration Iran’s involvement in countries, ranging from Iraq to Yemen to Syria and the Gulf.

That pushed the GCC in its December 2013 Summit to host Ahmad Al Jerba, the head of the Syrian opposition coalition to address the GCC summit, the first time for a non-official person to address such a prestigious meeting. It is a message not just for the Syrian regime, but also to those fighting alongside it, mainly Iran and its allies.

So 2013 is bidding farewell on an unfinished note with fighting continuing in Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq and Syria and instability in Egypt, Libya, Tunisia and uncertainty over traditional western allies. Given the present situation, 2014 does not seem promising in solving any of the major issues facing the Gulf countries. The only way is to try to shield ourselves is by trying to think outside the box, whatever that box is.

Mohammad Alrumaihi is a professor of political sociology at Kuwait University.