One runs into pal after initially entering Kuwait? (7)
I believe the answer is:
emirate
'initially entering kuwait?' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both locations as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?
'one runs into pal' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'one' could be 'i' (Roman numeral) and 'i' is located in the answer.
'runs' could be 'r' (cricket abbreviation) and 'r' is present in the answer.
'pal' could be 'mate' (I've seen this before) and 'mate' is found within the remaining letters.
A single letter 'e' remains which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
'after' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for emirate that I've seen before include "Meatier (anag) -- Qatar, for example" , "foreign government" , "Go abroad" , "Muslim country, such as Kuwait" , "Middle Eastern state" .)