The oil-rich Gulf state of Qatar has suffered a multi-pronged blockade by Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt. The reasons offered for their blockade are stated as Qatar’s sponsorship of terrorism, support for Hezbollah, support for Iran, and interference in local politics which might lead to regime change. The proof for these allegations has not been offered.
But here’s the rest of the story. Qatar is the birth place and home of Al-Jazeera. Al-Jazeera has been the primary Arab attempt at quality, fair journalism. The four countries who support the blockade cannot afford the reporting of their countries’ politics by Al-Jazeera.
The blockade, in my view, is politically motivated.
And the other interesting part of the story: Kuwait supports Qatar. What’s going on in the Gulf?
