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A30 world news
Diahuebs 7 Januari 2021

Qatar emerges from Gulf spat resolute and largely unscathed

ing it to shutter its Al Jazeera
news network, expel a small
contingency of Turkish
troops from its territory, cut
ties with the Muslim Broth-
erhood and hand over politi-
cal dissidents living in exile
there.

Qatar rejected the demands.
Although it stamps out dis-
sent domestically, Qatar
framed its support of opposi-
tion Islamist groups in other
Arab countries as a sign of its
tolerance and pluralistic ap-
proach.

When asked about the list by
CNN's Becky Anderson on
Tuesday, a top Emirati diplo-
mat downplayed its signifi-
cance.
“The 13 demands at the time
were what I would consider a
maximalist negotiating posi-
tion," Anwar Gargash said.
Pivoting to the UAE's new
public stance, he said the fo-
cus now is on beginning the
process of healing. Still, he
said one should be realistic
about the road ahead.
“The issue of rebuilding con-
fidence is one that takes time,
takes some energy and takes a
(AP) — Qataris awoke istration in Washington that 37 years old when the crisis under his leadership amid the lot of transparency,” he said,
to a surprise blockade is expected to take a firmer erupted in mid-2017, mark- crisis. adding: “We have to work at
and boycott by Gulf Arab stance toward Saudi Arabia ing the biggest political chal- The young ruler, now 40, making this deal quite water-
neighbors 3 1/2 years ago, and re-engage with Iran, put lenge of his rule. was seen as a “firm, steady, proof in many ways.”
and this week were jolted Qatar in a strong negotiating wise and mature hand at the On Wednesday, Qatari news
again by the sudden an- position. In the initial days of the boy- wheel,” said Mitchell, who websites, including the Do-
nouncement that it was cott, worried residents rushed has lived in Qatar for 13 years ha-based Al Jazeera English
all over. “I don’t expect to see any con- to grocery stores in the capi- and witnessed the country and Arabic pages, were still
cessions or changes of signifi- tal, Doha, emptying shelves of 2.7 million people rally blocked in the UAE. There
The period in between was cance from Qatar,” Mitchell of milk and other imported around their leader. was, however, a palpable shift
bitter, with mud-slinging by said. “Doha is actually used, food items. Qatar’s govern- Economically, the uber- in tone in state-linked news
both sides and viscous media and recognized, and wel- ment immediately drew wealthy nation took a hit outlets, signaling a new un-
blitzes, social media trolling, comed for their ability to be from its substantial cash re- from the blockade. Qatar derstanding. Newspapers in
expensive lobbying efforts in the ally in the middle.” serves, used alternative ship- Airways says it lost billions the UAE and Saudi Arabia
Washington, and allegations On Monday night, Saudi ping and flight routes, flew in of dollars by being blocked led with front-page photos of
of hacks and leaks. Criticism Arabia ended its embargo, thousands of cattle to ensure from the quartet’s airspace Tuesday's Gulf summit and
of the boycott was a criminal opening its airspace and, in a steady supply of fresh dairy and markets. positive headlines of the rift
offense in Saudi Arabia, the the coming days, its land and deepened alliances with ending.
United Arab Emirates, Bah- crossing to it's tiny Gulf Turkey and Iran. Despite the pressure, Qatar’s
rain and Egypt as the four neighbor. On Tuesday, Gulf ability to assert its sovereign While there is relief that ten-
sought to punish Qatar. Arab leaders and a represen- Qatar also used its strategic independence was strength- sions have eased, there is also
Qatar’s resolve in the face of tative from Egypt gathered location in the Persian Gulf ened by the crisis. deep skepticism among Gulf
the assault showed how little in Saudi Arabia and signed as the world’s largest pro- Now that the embargo has Arab citizens. Families who'd
the campaign achieved as the a declaration to start a new ducer of liquefied natural gas ended, Qatar may soften intermarried with Qataris
small, but influential U.S. page in brotherly relations, to continue shipments to ma- some of its policies, but it’s were divided, Qataris living
ally holds firm with its ties to effectively ending Qatar's jor world powers. Construc- unlikely to sever ties with in the UAE and Saudi Arabia
Turkey, Iran and Islamists. isolation among the quartet. tion supplies were rerouted, Turkey, said Ayham Kamel, were expelled, and social ties
“In terms of foreign policy, So stark was the about-face allowing Qatar to continue head of Eurasia Group’s were frayed by the crisis.
the international relations of that Saudi Arabia's crown pace with building new roads, Middle East and North Af- “When you’re connected
the blockade, Qatar didn’t prince embraced Qatar's rul- hotels and mega-stadiums as rica division. to these countries by ties of
have to change much because ing emir upon his arrival to it prepares to host the FIFA “As a result, all the Gulf family and friendship, it’s
the blockade was on such the summit, and later drove World Cup in 2022. countries will not align their painful to watch it descend
shaky ground to start,” said him to see historic desert Sheikh Tamim’s resolve and foreign policies,” he said. into what it did,” said Ahmed
Jocelyn Sage Mitchell, an as- sites in the area. In a nod to handling of the crisis cata- “These issues could once Al-Omran, a Saudi analyst
sistant professor in residence their fraternal ties, Qatar's pulted his popularity at home. again become problematic as and author of the Riyadh Bu-
at Northwestern University's emir landed in a jet named His image was plastered on Qatari support for Muslim reau newsletter.
campus in Qatar. after an ancient town located high-rise buildings and car Brotherhood organizations “People I think will be happy
in Saudi Arabia’s landlocked windows with pledges of loy- across the region could be- to see and hear less nasty ex-
She said the quartet's efforts Najd region, the birthplace of alty and slogans praising him come significant.” changes in media, and per-
to internationally isolate Qa- his Bani Tamim tribe. as “glorious”. Qatar’s Na- Days after the crisis erupted, sonal attacks and all of this
tar failed. This, coupled with Qatar’s emir, Sheikh Tamim tional Museum dedicated a the quartet issued a list of 13 ugliness that marked this dis-
an incoming Biden admin- bin Hamad Al Thani, was gallery to the nation's solitary demands on Qatar, order- pute."