Crown Prince or Crown Prank: The Royal Game of Musical Chairs in Kuwait's Political Circus In the grand, glittering theater of politics, few acts can rival the bemusement of Kuwait's latest production: "Crown Prince or Crown Prank." As the curtains rise on the stage of governance, we find ourselves spectators to a dazzling series of events that would put even the most seasoned of jesters to shame. Welcome to the political circus of Kuwait, where the only constant is change, and the only skill required is the ability to maintain one’s balance on a rapidly shifting tightrope. Our protagonist, Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah, a seasoned performer in this carnival since 2006, has become something of a political chameleon. First, he dons the garb of Foreign Minister for eight years, a role that likely involved more diplomatic tiptoeing than actual diplomacy. The stage was aglow with his charm, doling out handshakes and the occasional back-pat to global leaders while navigating the murky waters of international relations. Who would have thought that a mere ministerial role could be elevated to an Olympic sport, given how gracefully he sidestepped issues, almost as if he were auditioning for a role in “Dancing with the Stars”? And just when we thought he had mastered the art of feigned seriousness, he ascended the throne of Prime Minister in 2019, where his role evolved from "diplomat in distress" to "master of the mayhem." One could argue that leading a cabinet was akin to herding cats—fierce, independent-minded felines that prove decidedly uninterested in forming a cohesive agenda. Yet, there he was, smiling through the chaos, a true testament to the power of a well-tailored suit and a polished smile. Isn’t it delightful how substance in politics can often be replaced by style? Flash forward to June 2024, and lo and behold, the royal scepter is handed down to Sabah once more with a new title: Crown Prince. It would seem that in the game of Kuwait’s political musical chairs, he has expertly dodged the last-minute chair removal, emerging unscathed and slightly more embellished. Who could argue that this is not a delightful prank being played at the expense of the observer's sanity? The only real surprise is that we’re still surprised by the elasticity of titles within the royal family. It’s as though they’ve taken a page straight from the whimsical tales of Lewis Carroll, where logic is as fluid as a Kuwaiti desert breeze. Yet, while we chuckle and roll our eyes at the seeming absurdity of this game, let’s take a moment to reflect on what it all truly means. The Kuwaiti government functions much like a grand puppet show, where the strings are pulled by unseen hands, and the audience is entranced—with perhaps just a hint of cognitive dissonance. The royal family artfully consolidates its influence and power while the citizens cheer (or jeer), caught between admiration and exasperation. As political observers, we must ask: is this a true succession of power or merely a well-rehearsed prank that keeps the audience entertained? One can almost hear the whispers in the halls of governance: “Shall we shuffle the roles again? Maybe this time with glitter!” It is said that the unpredictability of politics keeps us on our toes—which is fortunate because in Kuwait, it seems we are perpetually dancing, albeit in ludicrous circles. In the end, whether Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah is a crowned prince or just another player in an elaborate royal prank is irrelevant. The real comedy resides in our inability to stop watching the show unfold, eagerly anticipating the next twist in the plot—each act more outlandish than the last. One must simply sit back and enjoy the spectacle because, in the grand circus of Kuwaiti politics, the only thing more predictable than the plot twists is the audience's astonished applause at the audacity of it all. So let the music play on; we wouldn’t dream of leaving this circus just yet.