GCC Qatari Blockade Quiz

GCC: Qatari Blockade

• The blockade of Qatar was announced on June 5, 2017, by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Bahrain.
• The blockade included the closure of land borders with Qatar and the closure of airspace.
• Other countries joined the core four in cutting diplomatic ties.
• The blockade was a comprehensive response.

Diplomatic Breakthrough

• Disagreements existed regarding how to respond to regional chaos and dealing with the Islamic Republic of Iran.
• Disagreements existed over how to deal with Islamist groups and terrorist organizations.

GCC Rift: Stand of Countries

• Countries that cut ties with Qatar: Bahrain, Comoros, Egypt, Eritrea, UAE, Maldives, Mauritania, Libya (eastern city of Tobruk), Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Yemen (Yemen's government - President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi)
• Countries with downgraded ties: Chad, Djibouti, Jordan, and Niger
• Countries offering mediation: France, Iran, Kuwait, Morocco, Pakistan, Turkey, and USA

Drivers and Motivations

• United Arab Emirates: Qatar accused of supporting, funding, and training Muslim Brotherhood rebels. UAE convicted 69 people in 2013 for plotting a coup on behalf of the Brotherhood.
• Saudi Arabia: Qatar accused of supporting Saudi rebels, specifically those associated with the Sahwa movement (some ideological commonalities with the Muslim Brotherhood). Qatar denied all allegations.
• Bahrain: Bahrain's local Muslim Brotherhood party enjoys a good relationship with the government. The government found it more practical to accuse Qatar of funding and supporting the Shia Islamist opposition (an accusation often leveled against Iran).
• Egypt: Qatar blamed for supporting the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood and the government of Mohammed Morsi, who was overthrown in 2013.

List of 13 Demands

• Limit diplomatic ties with Iran and close diplomatic missions in Iran.
• Expel Revolutionary Guards members and cut off military cooperation with Iran.
• Cut ties with terrorist organizations, specifically the Muslim Brotherhood, Islamic State, al-Qaeda, and Hezbollah.
• Shut down Al Jazeera and other Qatari-funded news outlets.
• Turkey's removal from Qatar.
• Stopping funding of individuals, groups, and organizations designated as terrorists.
• Handing over "terrorist figures" and wanted individuals to their countries of origin.
• Stop interference in sovereign countries' internal affairs.

Impact of the Embargo on Qatar

• Qatar's imports fell 40% in June 2017 compared to June 2016.
• Qatar Airways closed various routes.
• The four countries withdrew their capital from Qatari banks.
• Qatari citizens in the blockading countries were expelled, though some exceptions were made for marriage and pilgrimage.

Impact of the Embargo on Qatar (Responses)

• Qatar drew on its sovereign wealth fund (QIA) to inject liquidity into banks.
• Qatar established new shipping links with other countries to circumvent the blockade (Turkey, Iran, and Oman)
• By the fourth quarter of 2017, imports were back to pre-crisis levels.
• Qatar established new agreements with shipping lines in key Asian markets (China, India, and South Korea).
• Qatar Airways acquired a stake in Moscow's international airport (Vnukovo).

Attitudes to the Crisis in Kuwait & Oman

• Kuwait and Oman sought mediation, but each had objections to some Qatari foreign policies.
• Kuwait primarily focused on damage to the GCC institution, while acknowledging some legitimacy in the grievances.
• Kuwait's Emir, Sheikh Sabah al-Sabah, engaged in shuttle diplomacy.
• Oman believed issues should be addressed via diplomacy between GCC members.

Solidarity and Stability Agreement

• On January 5, 2021, the GCC (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain) signed a solidarity and stability agreement, restoring diplomatic relations with Qatar.
• Egypt joined the agreement, though not officially a GCC member.
• United States and Kuwait mediated the agreement.

Qatar's New Policies

• Qatar has changed policies, but focused on making itself attractive to Western and Asian countries, rather than changing its foreign policy to accommodate its neighbors' demands.
• Policies include liberalization of the economy and efforts to improve the labor rights record.

Debate Question

• The debate question was "The Qatar Blockade should be reinitiated".
• Two opposing groups were identified: "For" and "Against"
• Group members are presented.

Test your knowledge on the 2017 Qatari blockade imposed by Saudi Arabia and its allies. Explore the diplomatic ramifications and the countries involved in the crisis. Understand the underlying disagreements and the quest for mediation among various nations.