Qatar's legacy of terror is shameful

The country used its state broadcaster Al Jazeera as a diplomatic glove to punch weaker regimes into submission.

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Published: Mon 5 Jun 2017, 10:46 PM

Last updated: Wed 7 Jun 2017, 5:01 PM

Qatar's adventurism may well be over with the latest punitive measures against it by the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Six other Arab and Muslim countries have joined in isolating Doha. The maverick country better grow up and deal with terror it has sowed and stop using violent groups as partners to gain strategic advantage in the region. Doha's Gulf allies have had enough. They have been victims of its dangerous methods to become the singular force of instability in the region after Iran.
What Qatar lacked in military might, it bought using its vast riches. Among them were terrorists of every hue. The country used its state broadcaster Al Jazeera as a diplomatic glove to punch weaker regimes into submission. It sold stories that glorified violence while paying off extremists to keep the peace on its home turf. Money bought it influence as it bankrolled protests and acts of terror, but what it did not gain was respect. Financial backing and moral support of terror groups have been its legacy. The Arab world and the West have seen through its games, and are now saying the game's up.

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