An international gathering in London this week is to examine the long-term effects on Qatar by its refusal to abide by conventional norms in fighting terrorism and its continuance to aid and abet those who foster extremism and sedition across the Middle East. The gathering is being organised by academics, economists, researchers and others who are increasingly concerned that Qatar neither fully understands nor accepts the long-term effects of its policies by refusing to abide by its undertakings to members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and through international treaties, and for the past three months, the anti-terror quartet of Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain and Egypt have isolated Doha diplomatically and economically through blocking their national air and sea spaces to Qatari aircraft and vessels.

One research paper suggests that the quartet’s efforts have had a significant negative impact on Qatari economy, that its long-term economic outlook is turning negative, its liquidity is being eroded and even its food supplies are being affected. Yet, its government steadfastly refuses to acknowledge the 13 key conditions from the quartet to end its support for those who spread sedition, extremism and terror. In effect, the crisis is of Qatar’s own making and Doha is damaging its own people, economy, finances and outlook by its deliberate refusal to abide by international treaties, undertakings and norms. Throughout, the government in Doha has turned a blind eye to those who commit terrorist deeds, thumbed its nose at its Arab brothers and regional allies, and insisted that it has a right to give voice to extremists on its propagandist networks, extend monetary support to seditious groups who mask their workings as charity, and give shelter to those who have blood on their hands through their use of bomb and bullet for their narrow and sectarian beliefs.

Subsequently, the government in Doha will reap what it sows, with the self-inflicted deterioration in quality of life about to breed social unrest and discord. United States President Donald Trump, in a joint press conference with the Emir of Kuwait, Shaikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah, in Washington on Thursday said that he was willing to mediate in helping resolve this impasse. However, earlier yesterday, the anti-terror quartet issued a joint statement, questioning the Kuwaiti emir’s assurance that Qatar would be willing to accept the quartet’s 13-point demands. Dialogue on the implementation of the demands cannot be preceded by any preconditions, the quartet’s statement said. Doha ought to realise that these 13 demands are the bare minimum to be met before Qatar can be brought back to the fold where it belongs.