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Archives: Qatar

What impact will Saudi-Qatar Struggle have on Palestinians?

By Israa Khater | ( OpenDemocracy.org ) | - - No conflict in the Middle East spares the Palestinians, and the recent crisis in the GCC is no exception. Following the escalation…

Did UAE plant Fake News about Qatar to Fool Trump?

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | - - The intrepid Karen DeYoung and Ellen Nakashima report at WaPo that anonymous US intelligence officials have decided to go public with what they…

Saudi Bloc: Qatar’s Al Jazeera can Stay, it Just has to Report as We Say

TeleSur | - - Al Jazeera said it rejects any “external intervention” and reiterates its “independence and professional editorial stance.” The four Arab countries currently boycotting Qatar are set to drop their…

Al Jazeera Defies Saudi Bloc’s pressure to close: ‘Journalism itself is under Siege’

AJ+ | (Video News Report) | - - "Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE and Bahrain want Al Jazeera - including AJ+ - to be shut down. Here’s what Al Jazeera journalists think…

Saudi-Led Group: Qatar to be Sanctioned for ‘Negative’ Response to Demands

TeleSur | - - Saudi Arabia said restrictions on Qatar will continue, but it did not announce new sanctions against Doha. Foreign ministers from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and…

UN: Saudi Bloc attempt to close Al Jazeera attack on Freedom of Expression

UN: Saudi Bloc attempt to close Al Jazeera is attack on Freedom of Expression

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | - - Reuters reports that U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein, is "extremely concerned by the demand that Qatar close down the…

Turkey’s Erdogan: Saudi demand he close Qatar base is ‘Disrespectful’

TeleSur | - - Erdogan told journalists after Eid al-Fitr prayers that "It (the list of demands from Qatar's neighbors to lift the ban) is a breach of Qatar's sovereignty rights." On…

How Long can Qatar defy its powerful neighbors? It depends on Trump

By Nader Habibi | (Conversation) | - - The recent decision by half the nations in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and a few other countries to isolate fellow member Qatar came…

Mattis overrules Trump on Qatari “terrorism,” sells it $12 bn in F-15s

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | - - Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis defied his boss Donald Trump on Wednesday and inked a deal with the Qatar government to sell it…

The End of pan-Arab Media? Governments Ban whole Channels, Fine Fans

Human Rights Watch | - - (Beirut) – Arab countries engaged in a dispute with Qatar have shut down media outlets with links to or considered sympathetic to the Qatari government, Human…

Why Saudi Extremism, Instability is an Argument for EVs, Wind and Solar Energy

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | - - Saudi Arabia has gotten too big for its britches, and the oil-producing Middle East is turning even more unstable. Not to mention that…

Top Reasons Why Qatar Will Survive the Saudi-led Diplomatic Offensive

By Mohammed Nuruzzaman | (Informed Comment) | - - The Saudi – Qatar diplomatic rift is intensifying, showing no sign of immediate solution. Since June 5, the day Saudi Arabia, the UAE,…

Tillerson-Trump Rumble over Qatar shows White House Divisions

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | - - Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Friday called on Saudi Arabia and its allies to halt their blockade of Qatar. "There are humanitarian…

Saudi v. Qatar: Will Turkish intervention cause Escalation?

By James M. Dorsey | (Inter Press Service) | - - SINGAPORE (IPS) - Turkey’s parliament is this week fast tracking the dispatch of up to 3,000 troops to Qatar, home to…

Turkey OKs draft Bill to send Troops to bolster Qatar re: Saudis

TeleSur | - - Turkey and Qatar also both supported Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated projects throughout the Arab Spring, drawing strong Saudi ire. Turkey has waded into the geopolitical storm engulfing Gulf Arab states…

Trump’s Ally: Saudi Arabia’s drive for Aristocratic Hegemony in the Middle East

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | - - Saudi Arabia is making a drive to become a regional hegemon. It has long used its oil wealth to achieve a great deal…

Qatar in the Cross-Hairs – How Bad can it Get?

By Brian Whitaker | ( Al-Bab.com ) | - - The extraordinary propaganda offensive against Qatar which has been raging in sections of the Arab media for the last couple of weeks shifted…

The Collapse of the Old Oil Order

By Michael T. Klare | ( Tomdispatch.com) | - - Sunday, April 17th was the designated moment. The world’s leading oil producers were expected to bring fresh discipline to the chaotic petroleum…

As Bomb Kills 60, is Iraq Army Preparing for Armageddon with ISIL?

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | - - A truck bombing in the largely Shiite city of Hilla killed 60 on Sunday, one of the worst terrorist attacks in that city.…

How Iran Deal Could Change the Middle East

By Benjamin Tua | (Foreign Policy in Focus) | - - Washington's rapprochement with Iran has opened the door for major realignments from Israel to Afghanistan. Similar to the dissolution of Yugoslavia…