Lamplight On Qatar Downplays Saudi Arabia

Qatar is the richest country in the world in terms of per capita income and the world’s largest LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) exporter; it is now facing a diplomatic stand-off from its oil producing neighbours. Although both Saudi Arabia and Qatar are dominated by the Sunni population, followers of the conservative ‘Wahhabi’ religious movement, Saudi Arabia along with 6 other countries namely United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Egypt, Yemen, Libya and Maldives are leading a strong diplomatic strike against Qatar. The country only shares a land border with Saudi Arabia resulting in major transport problems.

The decision to isolate Qatar was on grounds that the country supported extremism with its associations to the Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas, etc. Saudi Arabia, also known to be a supporter of extremist ideologies is now seen as a leader of the forefront in the fight against terrorism. Saudi Arabia just as Qatar is been known to finance terrorism. Why then are the accusations tilting towards Qatar now?

A Calculated Move

Citizens began to stock up on food in Qatar as the country is largely dependent on food imports. Qatar is a small country and its landmass is mainly made up of deserts, unsuitable for agriculture. Almost 90% of Qatar’s food is imported. Much of the food imports also come from neighbours like Saudi Arabia who is closing its border, this would pose an immediate problem for Qatar. However, Iran has come to Qatar’s rescue by offering to supply food to the Country.

If the objective is to alienate Qatar from Iran then Saudi Arabia, along with its allies have failed with Iran being the first to offer food supplies to Qatar to make up for shortages. The crisis therefore, brings the two countries ‘closer’ together. Reza Nourani, chairman of Iran’s Union of Agriculture of Exporters confirmed that such arrangements (food supplies) could be made in 12 hours.

The decision to cut ties with Qatar came in soon after U.S President; Donald Trump made a visit to Saudi Arabia. The relations between the two countries have been rather cozy with the new administration; a new deal had taken afloat with Trump selling military equipment worth $147 billion dollars to Saudi Arabia.

A Religious Dissection?

The influence of religion in the diplomatic stand-off cannot be discounted. Saudi Arabia and other Gulf regions have Sunni leaders while Iran is dominated by the Shiite Muslims; Qatar has been accused by the Gulf States for maintaining close ties with Iran. The Sunnis’ are the majority in this region while the Shiites are a minority.

The call for cutting off diplomatic ties with Qatar has resulted in a transport ban by air, land and sea to and from the region. This has caused serious disturbances especially in flight travel as Doha, Qatar’s capital is a major travel destination for international flights.

Aljazeera, the renowned news channel that was initially applauded for coverage during the Arab Uprisings in 2011 was later antagonized as neighbouring states felt the news was mainly an instrument for asserting Qatar’s foreign policy while downplaying others in the region.  

Qatar to host 2022 FIFA World Cup

Qatar’s Local Organizing Committee and the AFC (Asian Football Confederation) refused to comment on the situation, despite FIFA being in constant touch with the Organizing Committee. Much of the materials needed for construction and infrastructure are also imported, this would make hosting the World Cup rather difficult in such conditions because the stadiums built for such an event are ‘substantial’.

While the reasons maybe numerous, the decision to isolate Qatar on grounds that could challenge the very obligations of the leader of the pact (Saudi Arabia) is rather strange. Also, this diplomatic sanction serves as the most strained in the Gulf region, in years. The implications are almost immediately felt by the people of the country who are now stocking up on food supplies and businesses who are adversely disrupted by such political maneuvers

The United States is seen as a strong contender for the role of a ‘mediator’, the United States has strong ties with Saudi Arabia and Qatar, U.S ‘Central Command’, America’s largest military base is located in Doha, Qatar. Will the U.S use the polarization of the two countries and impose strategy along the Shia-Sunni divide?