The diplomatic row around Qatar that is flaring up into something more serious caught many in Russia by surprise. Although disсontent with a number of Doha’s activities has been smoldering in the region for a while, it didn’t appear on most Russian experts’ radar screens largely because Russia didn’t expect the rivalry for Gulf Cooperation…
That “Arab NATO” didn’t last very long, did it? The break with Qatar by some of its Arab brethren, including its nearest neighbors, is impressively comprehensive, involving a breach of diplomatic relations and an economic and transportation embargo. It reflects sharp divisions not only within the Arab world but even among the half dozen monarchies…
“It’s difficult to see how things won’t get any worse; it’s going to get a lot worse before it gets any better.” That was the stark warning given to me by a senior official from the Middle East who was sent by his country’s leader to try and mediate between Qatar and Saudi Arabia last…
The UAE’s threat to imprison Qatari supporters for up to 15 years is a grand self-inflicted wound to its international soft power as a “modern” Arab state and wouldn’t have been enacted unless Abu Dhabi was preparing for a prolonged crisis which “justifies” such a totalitarian move. The country has spent years building up its…
As soon as the Arab show of unity with US President Donald Trump in Saudi Arabia had ended, a row broke out between US oil-producing allies that Trump had met and praised during his visit to the kingdom. Three days after Trump and King Salman declared Iran to be the main sponsor of terrorism, Saudi…
Saudi Arabia’s move to use its influence among other Muslim countries to threaten Iran appears to be backfiring as Qatar now reveals an entirely new plan, a third way for the entire region. Oops, Qatar did it again. It dared to think. Recently, this tiny energy-rich nation, a small island perched on the edge of…
