Saudi led countries accuse Qatar of ” supporting terrorism” — with no conclusive evidence. There are “reports” of both countries supporting extremist groups;so this can't be a bone of contention.
Qatar is the gulf country with disproportionate influence in the region and outside. Saudi want it to work in tandem with it’s interests. Qatar imports 90% of food products;mostly through Saudi borders — as it shares only land border with it.
Saudi tried to use this non-sufficienticy to pressureize them — but they have failed. Now Saudi’s know Qatar isn’t any financially un-stable nation which will buckle under their pressure. Qatar is “a country of very high human development and is the most advanced Arab state for human development”. Qatar’s got its food security as Iran and Turkey started importing food in bulk to them. Morever they are now importing cows and trying to be “self-sufficient” in dairy. This blockade may be “a blessing in disguise” for Qatar; they may become self-sufficient to some extent.
Now Qatar is going closer to Iran ; which goes against interests of Saudi Arabia.
Qatar is getting more acceptance in muslim world — as certian reports attribute this quagmire because of Qatar’s “support” to Hamas — anti Israel resistance army of Palestine and Muslim Brotherhood of Egypt — party whose democratically elected government was thrown away by military coup. Turkey has passed resolution in parliament to deploy troops in Qatar. Air space ban hasn’t effected them much; Qatar Airways says “majority of network unaffected by airspace restrictions”. Qatar aslo have largest US military base of middle-east which camps nearly 1000 US troops. Non-Arab countries prefered to be neutral.
Qatar’s is a small sovereign country which have a disproportionate influence than its size. Al-Jazeera news channel gives it edge over other gulf countries. This is only English news-channels in Arab which covers Muslims issues and issues effecting them ; as well other international issues. Only Arab channel which questions western hegemony and counter their narratives. Many report also suggest that “reportage” of this chnnanel is a bone of contention — it is banned in Egypt; it’s website was recently banned in Saudi.
Saudi still enjoys power and “controlls” muslim world directly or indirectly. Qatar’s is questioning status-quo — if this quagmire is not ended it will dent Saudi image further. Qatar is going “self-sufficient” and close to Iran– this may start end of Saudi hegemony and “balkanize” muslim world further.
(Blogger can be contacted on Twitter @khalidbinbashir)
Published on The Times of Kashmir -- NewsPortal
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