Mubarak Al-Sabah anxiety over possible encroachment by the Great Powers, most notably Britain and Russia into the region due to the construction of the Baghdad Railway. They thought that bestowing the title could dissuade any foreign powers from interfering with Kuwait. "See Anglo-Kuwaiti Agreement of 1899" The long Ottoman indecisiveness in naming Mubarak kaymakam, as well as feelings of vulnerability helped pave the way for Mubarak to pursue British ties. On January 18, 1899 Mubarak signed a secret agreement with Major M.J. Meade, British political resident in Bushire, that guarded Kuwait against any outside foreign aggression. It also required Mubarak and his
Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah affairs. Sabah replaced Mohammad Al Sabah as foreign minister. In a reshuffle of 14 December 2011 Sabah was also appointed minister of state for cabinet affairs. Later this post was assumed by Mohammad Abdullah Al Mubarak Al Sabah. On 4 August 2013, Sabah was made first deputy prime minister in addition to his post as foreign minister. Sabah is married to Aida Salim Al Ali Al Sabah and has two children. Aida Al Sabah is the board chair of Sheikh Salim Al Ali Al Sabah Informatics Award. Sabah was awarded the Order of King Abdulaziz in 1998 and the Order