Qatar

Rivals in the service of empire: Abu Dhabi, Qatar and the United States

Gilbert Achcar — The two emirates’ sharp contrast in foreign policy strategy is, in fact, a boon for Washington’s policy in the extended Middle East.

The threat of wider wars in the Middle East and the responsibilities of socialists

By Frieda Afary June 24, 2017 — Links International Journal of Socialist Renewal reposted from Alliance of Middle East Socialists — On June fifth, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt suddenly cut off diplomatic and trade ties with Qatar and closed their borders to it. The reason stated for this decision was Qatar’s support for the Muslim Brotherhood movement as well as Qatar’s friendly relations with the Iranian government. Donald Trump subsequently sent out a tweet in which he took credit for this move: “So good to see the Saudi Arabia visit with the king and 50 countries already paying off.” Turkey immediately announced its support for Qatar and accelerated legislation to send more troops to its military base in that country. It also called on Saudi Arabia to end this crisis. The Iranian government announced that its air space and land borders were open to Qatar in order to prevent a blockade against it. Subsequently, on June 11, the Iranian navy sent two battleships to the coast of Oman.

Adam Hanieh: Power, wealth and inequality in the Arab world