Boycott of Qatar will continue till it stops backing terrorism

Doha does not have many options on its table after the latest actions by Arab countries

Differences between countries are normal, but what is troubling is that these differences keep rearing their head quite often when it comes to Qatar over its destabilising role in the region. The bigger danger is when they are played out openly because Doha does not believe it must solve problems at the regional level.

In this see-saw relationship, Qatar doesn't seem to care about the security aspect as it sups with dangerous friends like Hamas, Hezbollah, Taleban and the Muslim Brotherhood while providing support to groups like Al Nusra to wage war. This country is a bundle of contradictions, and it is only getting weirder by the day.

What's even more bizarre is Doha's alliance with Iran even as it supports groups like Al Nusra and the Syrian National Coalition that is fighting to topple President Bashar Al Assad of Syria. Assad is also an ally of Iran. Doha's ensemble of alliances is nothing but a cruel joke as it tries to fool the world with its conflicting policies that are at odds with the policies of the GCC.

Now, consider its ties with Hamas, Israel and Hezbollah - all bitter enemies - and you will understand why this nexus of terror, violence and occupation is taking Qatar south. Israel and Hamas hate each other; Hezbollah is on Hamas's side; Hezbollah has even fought two wars with Israel. Qatar is stuck in the middle, not knowing that it needs to extricate itself from the mess it is in with GCC help or on its own.

Let's now come to Qatar's media brand Al Jazeera. The international arm of the network disseminates news all over the world keeping Qatari interests in mind. It does Doha's bidding in the name of free speech while sowing unrest wherever it operates. A spirit of activism drives its no-holds-barred coverage that has got it into trouble with governments all over the world.

The domestic version of Al Jazeera, however, is subdued and is a far cry from the international version. There are no proclamations of free speech and independent thinking in its coverage of local affairs. There are no trade unions and political freedom at home but that's okay as long as Doha has money to fund political activism and violent movements and report on them through its media channel while throwing all ethics to the winds.

Qatar's neighbours have been patient all these years as the country continued its role as a terror backer. After all, Qatar is part of the Gulf and has family links to countries in the region. The deep-rooted relations between the Al Thanis, the rulers of Qatar, and the Al Saud dynasty of Saudi Arabia, are strong. They share the same Islamic school of thought of Imam Mohammed bin Abdul Wahab, who has a grand mosque named after him in Doha.

Religion, language, customs, traditions and kinship make the Gulf countries and the GCC one family. These bonds cannot be dissolved easily. Qatar, however, used these strong ties to create trouble in other Gulf states. It believed it could do as it pleased because traditional ties would keep them secure. No one would act against it.

But the massive boycott by Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain and Egypt last week came as a rude shock to Qatar. It thought it could get away with a rap on the knuckles like before which would include the recall of Gulf ambassadors from Doha. A media war would be as far as it would go. The envoys would soon return to Doha and it would be business as usual while the country continues its role as a disrupter of peace in the region.

Other GCC countries know Qatar's tricks well. This is a neighbour with whom we have a (family) relationship. They are our cousins and we know how they operate. Doha does not have many options on its table after the latest actions by Arab countries. It can buy support from opportunistic regimes a short while but the harsh reality will dawn on it soon.

Iran has, meanwhile, supplied Qatar with foodstuff at double the market rate. Turkey is also making hay because it knows Qatar has the money. Doha must understand that Iran and Turkey are fairweather friends who are only interested in geopolitical supremacy. They do not want anything from Qatar but are by its side to siphon off money and exploit the country's natural resources.

Saudi Arabia, UAE and Bahrain are not talking military action or regime change. They have only boycotted Qatar. What would happen if they take stronger action against their neighbour?

This boycott will continue until Qatar relents and cuts off ties with extremists and those peddling hardline thought. It must drive out people who are listed as terrorists and who live in the country. Finally, it must stop inciting riots in the region and hold media its back from messing with the region's security.
- malzarooni@khaleejtimes.com

• Qatar Crisis