WHAT IS GOING ON? Why Saudi Arabia cut ties with Qatar
THERE was shock yesterday after Saudi Arabia and six other countries cut relations with Qatar. But the conflict is not just about terrorism.
QATAR ACCUSED OF SUPPORTING EXTREMISM
Gulf states have long accused Qatar of supporting extremist groups, in particular the Muslim Brotherhood, Islamic State and al-Qaeda, something Qatar has denied.
Prof Piscatori said the decision to cut ties probably had more to do with irritation over Qatar’s rising influence.
SAUDI ARABIA IS NOT HAPPY
While Qatar is a small country it is extremely wealthy and is the world’s biggest producer of liquefied natural gas. It boasts the
highest per capita income in the world.
“It is a little country that is fabulously wealthy,” Prof Piscatori said. “It has huge amounts of money and is going to host the World Cup.”
Influential news organisation Al Jazeera is also based in Qatar, another source of power that concerns the rest of the Gulf states.
Qatar also manages to annoy its neighbours by conducting its own foreign policy agenda, which plays off both sides.
MIDDLE EAST IS CHANGING
Prof Piscatori said there had clearly been something brewing for at least the last month.
The severing of ties with Qatar comes after countries were angered by comments attributed to Qatar’s ruler in which he praised Iran
“It didn’t come completely out of the blue but what did surprise me was how strong the actions were.”
Prof Piscatori said relations in the Middle East were changing, partly because of what was happening in Syria and with Islamic State.
Recent leaked emails provided to
US media show that other Gulf states were becoming increasingly irritated with Qatar.
“There was a campaign to downgrade Qatar and its regional and global power,” Prof Piscatori said.
(AND the private message that banned Mrs F, had an identifier...but have fun with conspiracies, it was a wit-less. Did you never consider they did not remain anon)