Final answer:
Kuwaitis likely had mixed feelings toward Western companies; while there might have been some sense of economic partnership, there was also potential resentment due to historical Western interventions and their effects on regional politics, such as the British-drawn boundaries and the Invasion of Kuwait by Iraq.
Step-by-step explanation:
While Western companies may have viewed their relationships with Middle Eastern nations, including Kuwait, as familial in some ways, the Kuwaitis' actual feelings toward this relationship were likely complex and multifaceted. The perception of a “family” relationship is contrasted with the realities of geopolitical interests, particularly in relation to oil production and control. Kuwaiti sentiment might have ranged from pragmatic cooperation with Western entities for economic benefit to feelings of resentment or exploitation due to historical interventions and imposed boundaries, such as those stemming from actions taken by European powers like the British and conflicts like the Invasion of Kuwait by Iraq.
For example, the Persian Gulf War, which was sparked due to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, reflects how the geopolitics of oil can affect relationships. Kuwait may have felt betrayed by Iraq's actions, given that the invasion was a direct threat to their sovereignty and economic status. At the same time, they might have viewed the subsequent coalition led by the United States with skepticism, as the prompt defense against Iraq's aggression also aligned with Western interests in protecting access to oil resources.