To think the Qatar crisis stinks of Trump?

[QueenofEsgaroth]

How have things become so incredibly hostile so quickly?

[GnusSitOnCanoes]

No, it's not Trump. The hostilities here have been simmering for years - the last very public outbreak was in 2014. I suspect the trigger was the Qatari hostage deal with a militant group in Iraq, but the UAE and Saudi have long spluttered about Qatar's political leanings and efforts to gain diplomatic clout.

[GnusSitOnCanoes]

Oh, and Iran. Doha's position in Iran is a big sticking point.

[littlehandcuffs]

Not really, it has been going on for years, although it has escalated really quickly this time. Ex-husband works out there so I'm hoping it get sorted out soon.

[QueenofEsgaroth]

But UAE is pinning it all on an email leak which whilst maybe not very diplomatic just shows what we all think of Trump's election surely? Is that a red herring?

Plus all the terrorist harbouring stuff which seems to me pot calling kettle black.

Do you think it will worsen?

[PaintingByNumbers]

I think a lot of countries sense a leadership vacuum in usa, so know they can act with impunity

[GnusSitOnCanoes]

Queen it's a very dramatic move, to sever diplomatic ties. The Saudis and UAEs may try to recruit further countries to their cause - as per Yemen, one of the Libyan regional governments and The Maldives last night - but I think it's highly unlikely there will be anything more than political pressure. Closing land, sea and air links with Qatar is a very big deal - it makes life much more difficult for Doha.
The Emiratis have mentioned the email leak but it's in the context of being the straw that broke the camel's back. These tensions have been in play for years now - they've just boiled over.

[QueenofEsgaroth]

Yemen is a mess, been watching that for a while. It is awful that so many are starving and displaced.

[qatarexpat]

Also worth noting diplomats from those countries were removed from Qatar back in 2014 so it's happened before...the closure of land/sea/air is a new escalation

[QueenofEsgaroth]

Sorry I missed the first bit of that qatarexpat. Do you think there will be war in Qatar or is it a bit of posturing that will blow over?

[nocake]

It's likely a strong US President would have intervened, diplomatically if not publicly, to calm the situation. Trump is a toddler playing at being president so there's nothing to stop the gulf states descending into chaos.

[LullabelleBates]

It's the Airline that concerns me. All those routes now messed up!

[QueenofEsgaroth]

Aside from flights the immediate humanitarian threat caused by blocking supply routes and escalating unrest is great.

I am also concerned we may end up with another Iraq type war, everything is in place - idiot POTUS, weak UK PM with point to prove, escalating terror threats, oil price instability etc.

[GnusSitOnCanoes]

The GCC states will not descend into chaos. This is a very deliberate isolating of Qatar - it's personal to the Gulf states. If the West is wise, it will stay out of it and not take sides .

Queen I'm not sure what you mean about blocking humanitarian routes? The biggest logistic hub in the region is Dubai and it's open for business everywhere, bar with Doha. The biggest humanitarian crisis on our doorstep is Yemen, and it's the Saudi-led coalition that's blocking the ports there and impeding humanitarian access. That won't be affected by the current escalation in hostilities.

[Dandandandandandandan]

Well, one person agrees with you, OP. Trump has just said it's all due to his recent trip to Saudi which went bigly!!!

[QueenofEsgaroth]

Gnus I mean if Doha can't get supplies there may be a crisis there too, granted not on the same scale but still not good.

Dand what a chump that guy is, really vile. Follow the money and he will be there with sweaty paws.

[GnusSitOnCanoes]

The UAE today issued an edict making it illegal for anyone to express sympathy with Qatar on social media. It's now a cybercrime.

[QueenofEsgaroth]

Punishable by? That would be pathetic if not so scary I mean how dare people have opinions!

[hippogriffwobble]

punishable by?

15 years in prison or a 136,000 fine...

[QueenofEsgaroth]

[RedSandYellowSand]

Saudi have announced similar. 5 years in prison, £0.6 million fine.

[SunEgg]

Jail and fine?!! Talk about giving their people and press freedom ... and the US and UK are still siding with Saudi & UAE. Utter hypocrisy.

[SimpleCreature]

I'm sorry to derail this with childishness, but "stinks of trump" instantly reminded me of my duvet this morning.

[QueenofEsgaroth]

The United Arab Emirates has blocked access to the website of Qatar Airways. It began on Thursday and follows the UAE blocking access to a series of Qatari media websites, including those of Al Jazeera media network.Saudi tourism ministry orders facilities to remove Al Jazeera from available TV channels

"Any expression of sympathy with the government of Qatar or opposition to the measures taken by the government of Bahrain, whether through social media, Twitter or any other form of communication, is a criminal offence punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine," the ministry statement said.

Emirates Post Group has halted postal services to Qatar from all of its postal offices in the United Arab Emirates until further notice, the country's state news agency reported. All as yet undelivered items will be returned with the corresponding postal fees according to procedures and regulations.

Turkey sending troops: Following the threats made against Qatar, its close ally Turkey voted to to accelerate the deployment of troops to its base in the peninsula.