An Opinion on Neighbours Cut Off Gas Rich Qatar: What It Means and Its Implications

Abstract

This paper is an opinion proffered by the author and uses a few newspaper articles, including his own critical analysis, to capture the subtle nuances involved, in terms of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt cutting off most diplomatic and economic ties with Qatar. In an unprecedented move designed to punish one of the region’s financial superpowers for its ties with Iran and Islamist groups in the region. Oil gained and Qatari stocks plunged after this announcement that these countries will suspend air and sea travel to and from the gulf emirate. It was also announced that Saudi Arabia will also shut land crossings with its neighbours; potentially depriving the emirate of imports through its only land border. According to Carey and Sabah (2017:1) “Qatar called the accusations baseless and said they were a part of a plan to impose guardianship on the state, which in itself is a violation of sovereignty.”