Saudi Arabia’s Expedient Reconciliation with Qatar

Qatar’s support of the Muslim Brotherhood caused Saudi Arabia to set certain conditions for the continuation of Qatar’s membership in the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council and stress that if Qatar does not accept these conditions, member countries of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council will cut their relations with this country. But it was stated in a recent meeting that all differences with Qatar were resolved. Has Qatar accepted all the conditions that were set by Saudi Arabia?

It is important for the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council that the member countries follow their policies and its philosophy of existence. This council was established after the victory of the Islamic Revolution of Iran and based on the idea of Iranophobia which was generally spread by the western countries to the countries which are located south of Iran. Thus, the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council was formed to create general collaboration between the Arab states and support in critical conditions and also with regard to economic and security issues. On this basis, member countries signed letters of understanding and pacts in economic and security issues. It is natural that the members will make efforts so that, based on the determined objectives, this council would not be damaged and prevent the ambitions of the members. Therefore, they attempt to control the atmosphere and prevent member states from distancing themselves from the general policies of the council. On one hand, some countries consider themselves as the godfather of this council and get upset if a member country contradicts them. Meanwhile, Qatar was the country about which rumors of separation were heard based on its behavior and measures with regard to other countries and its extra-regional relations. This country considers itself the supporter of revolutionary movements such as the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas and has established relations with the heads of these groups. Qatar’s behavior is in contradiction with the policies of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council, thus, other members do not tolerate such behavior, particularly those states that have different conditions and are concerned about the continuation and spread of the activities of freedom-seeking and Islamic movements in the region. They believe that the measures taken by these groups may spread to their countries as well, because many of these countries are totalitarian regimes. On the other hand, Qatar accepts that it has established extra-regional and international moves in the isolation of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council. This is not desirable for countries like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the UAE. Meanwhile, some countries have pursued balanced policies and attempted to move on the basis of moderation. A country like Oman has always acted as a mediator so that differences would be resolved. Nevertheless, these incidents do not reduce the differences which exist among the member countries, because some members do not protest against the godfather policies of countries like Saudi Arabia due to their interests but when they gain power they would also voice their opposition. This group of countries has reached the conclusion that the project of Iranophobia and the export of revolution is not based on reality. Iran is a stable country and has not taken any irrational measures with regard to its neighbors. These differences will only be resolved when changes are made in the agenda and objectives of the council. The statement that differences with Qatar have been resolved is only a cover. The dispatch of Qatar’s representative to Yemen is not meant to state that there are no differences, but rather that they intend to prevent the spread of these differences under the present conditions. Nonetheless, the nature of the Qataris is such that they pursue their own policies and attempt to present themselves as a regional power and be active in economic, political and security areas.

To what extent are the resolution of differences or the covering up of differences affected by regional events, particularly the situation in Iraq and the issue of Daesh?

Countries of the region especially Saudi Arabia did not assume that enflaming religious differences via a group like Daesh would one day involve everybody, whether Sunni or Shiite. Daesh is a terrorist group with a Takfiri ideology which does not have any religious basis. At one time, countries like Saudi Arabia were satisfied to support movements in Iraq and Syria to safeguard their interests. But now with the measures that are taken by Daesh, they have realized the dangerous nature of this group and if they remain silent, the fire of this group will reach their country as well. Thus, Daesh will be an excuse so that these countries will, once again, be united. In fact, Daesh is an alarm for the repeated unity of the Persian Gulf states. Therefore, member countries of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council may leave their differences aside for a period of time in order to manage the issue of Daesh.

Is there the possibility that Saudi Arabia has balanced its anti-Muslim Brotherhood positions with regard to Qatar?

Saudi Arabia does not intend to enflame the situation. It is not desirable for Saudi Arabia and other countries if one of the influential member states of the council distances itself from it. They are concerned about the collapse of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council. Qatar is a country which has been more active in the international scene and attempted to establish better relations with other countries compared with other Arab states. The separation of Qatar from the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council is not acceptable for a country like Saudi Arabia. Therefore, Saudi Arabia will do its utmost to prevent Qatar’s separation and it might even give certain concessions to Qatar and back down from its previous positions. The reason is that the separation of one member may damage other members and result in the collapse of this council and the separation of others. Saudi Arabia has, certainly, convinced itself of reaching an understanding. On the other hand, Qatar is not interested in separating itself from the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council under the present conditions when it could take advantage of this council. It is perhaps early for Qatar to separate itself from this council. Although it has prepared the ground for its separation, if at one time it reaches the conclusion that its interests are better provided by its separation from the council, it will certainly do so. But it has not yet reached this conclusion. Thus, right now Qatar does not welcome tensions and prefers to balance its positions. Saudi Arabia also attempts to exert less pressure on Qatar in order to prevent its separation. Of course, it seems that this council is moving towards collapse. The climax of unity, solidarity and collaboration of the member states of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council was reached in the past.