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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Kuwait
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The ruling Al-Sabah dynasty, established in 1756, made a treaty with Britain in 1899 for protection against the Turkish empire. In 1914 Kuwait was recognized as an independent state under British protection, and in 1961 the country became fully independent. Iraq immediately claimed sovereignty over its smaller neighbour and threatened invasion. British military aid was sent (at the time Kuwait provided more than 20% of Britain's oil) and in 1963 Iraq recognized Kuwait's independence, though the line of the border was never formally agreed. It was against this background that Iraq invaded and annexed Kuwait in 1990, an action leading to the *Gulf War.
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