Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, who served as Kuwait's emir for three years, had a long and influential career in top posts within the House of Sabah. He was defense minister during the 1990 Iraqi invasion and subsequent war, as well as interior minister during a battle against Islamist militants in 2005. Despite Kuwait's tumultuous history, Sheikh Nawaf maintained favor due to his low-key style. He became emir in 2020, succeeding his half-brother Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.