Sheikhdom of Kuwait In the early 20th century, Kuwait immensely declined in regional economic importance, mainly due to many trade blockades and the world economic depression. Before Mary Bruins Allison visited Kuwait in 1934, Kuwait lost its prominence in long distance trade. During World War I, the British Empire imposed a trade blockade against Kuwait because Kuwait's ruler (Salim Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah) supported the Ottoman Empire, who was in the Central Powers. The British economic blockade heavily damaged Kuwait's economy. The Great Depression negatively impacted Kuwait's economy starting in the late 1920s. International trading was one of Kuwait's main sources of income before oil.
Ahmad Al Khalid Al Sabah minister. Sabah is a military officer with the rank of lieutenant general. He was appointed as the 7th Chief of General Staff of the Kuwaiti Armed Forces in January 2010. He was appointed as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense on 14 February 2012 as part of the cabinet led by Prime Minister Jaber Al Mubarak Al Sabah. Ahmad Al Sabah's tenure ended on 4 August 2013 when Khaled Al Jarrah Al Sabah was appointed both Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense. Ahmad Al Sabah is married to Wadad Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. They have four children, one son