MIDDLE EAST: The Last of the Kingdoms

I am not the only one who finds it strange that an Arab Muslim country would find itself under a sever embargo during the blessed month of Ramadan. Even more strange is the decisiveness of the other GCC countries in uniting against Qatar. I would have thought such a move would be warranted against traditional enemies in the Middle East. All in all, it’s been an eventful day, especially when Iran is offering to mediate amongst the Sunni Brothers.

      -  Hamza M.O Egal

The world is embarking on a new era of warfare. A decade ago, cyber-attacks were sci-fi movie plots. In the last few years it’s been a reality and a constant topic in the mainstream media. From the American elections and how Russia allegedly installed an agent, code name (Ivanka) in the most powerful office in the world. To the constant stream of Wikileaks cables that changed the narratives of today’s global politics.

2017 has not disappointed from, coups, fake news and political upheaval. This morning was no exception. As reports of an air, land and sea embargo imposed against Qatar came through the airwaves, I found myself firstly wondering the motive behind such an act. Secondly asking myself how such a move could be sanctioned against another Muslim country during the holy month of Ramadan.

I doubt anyone who follows the region’s politics would have guessed the current debacle unfolding in the Middle East. The whole bad press and the allegations against Qatar is nothing new, after all it was a sensational topic during the early years of the Arab spring. The Saudis and the Egyptians were seething at Qatar’s audacity in supporting the now banned Muslim Brotherhood. Mind you at the time the Brotherhood was democratically elected and accepted by the world as legitimate. Yet their political ineptitude especially in the vicinity of the Suez Canal led to their quick ejection from Egyptian politics through a military coup. The democratic world didn’t mind since its fear of political Islam is greater than the need to protect a fledgling democracy.  

In the same region, Qatar was spending millions on the exiled Hamas leadership and its administration in Gaza; was this humanitarian support illegal under international law?

The UAE supposedly spend a hefty sum on creating negative press around the Doha establishment in retaliation to the Qatari actions. Wikileaks decided to dump a number of email caches that implicated the Emirates. Nevertheless, the damage was done. Opinion pieces in the American media run with the story, European commentators had their say. But like all things sensational, the story fizzled out, partly because of the leaked emails but most importantly the role of Al Jazeera’s counter narrative.

Qatar played the middle ground in the political discourse of the Middle East. An important role that required a regional player to take the initiative. Who else in the region can bring Hamas, the brotherhood, Hezbollah, Taliban and even Israeli politicians to the tables of political debates? With all the enemies the GCC countries currently have in their locality, the old traditional ones such as Iran and modern threats from extremist groups such as ISIL and AQ. One has to wonder why such a move has never been sanctioned against such known foes? Just this week peace talks between the new Somali government and al-Shabaab militants was announced and would be taking place in Doha. Who else in the Middle East could pull this off?

Many say Qatar is trying to fill big shoes, but the reasons are far deeper than just the hackings or the perceived Iranian support.

Control:

The house of Saud has had the monopoly on power in the region since the fall of the Ottoman Empire. The hold and control over the region has been down to two main factors. The solid western alliance particularly the Americans, the British and the de facto leadership OPEC. As a result, most of the GCC oil producing countries have always submitted to the will of Riyadh. Qatar being a gas producing country found itself free from such constraints.

The move by Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt and the main antagonist the UAE is not just some uncalculated political move. By targeting a regional partner such as Qatar, these countries are showing brute force to any would be dissenters within their borders and the wider region.

Furthermore, Doha has opened its doors to the world through a number of strategic paths. Financial clout in international markets, dominance in air travel, winning the world cup bid and most importantly establishing its foreign policy through the Al Jazeera Media Network, Qatar Media Corporation.

Aljazeera:

Before the existence of Al Jazeera especially the Arabic Satellite Channel, state media channels in the gulf had created a narrative of supreme power. The leaderships of the region were exalted and revered beyond reason. This all changed in 1996, Al Jazeera single handedly changed the public opinion in the region through content that before then would have been considered sacrilege. It quickly became the platform for all lines of thoughts, ideas and conversations.

The channel opened up debates on governance, off-limit issues such as women's rights and award winning documentaries on oppressive regimes. Al Jazeera’s world prominence came during its extensive coverage of the Arab Spring. From that moment on there was an agreement between the oppressive regimes that something had to be done to curb its influence on the people of the region. As a result, broadcasting licenses were withdrawn, its offices raided and its correspondents arrested and charged on dubious grounds. Regardless of the restraints the age of information has allowed Al Jazeera to continue reaching people through the internet and today it is the mouth of many dissenting voices.

Islamic Leadership:

The royal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has rightfully been the heartbeat of the Islamic world. Not only is it the home of the most sacred shrines of the Muslim faith but also the educational hub of Islam. Its influence on the Muslim world religiosity is immense. In contrast its political authority is practically nonexistent. For one, its diplomatic stance has always been heavily influenced by oil revenues and its over reliance on western financial agreements. Over the years one could go as far as to question the countries financial sovereignty.

Saudi Arabia has been walking a tight rope for such a long time, on one hand trying to portray Islamic leadership based on firm principles. Yet on the other hand it is extremely repressive to its own populous due to political fears and cultural norms. Internationally, questions have been raised on its inability to intervene politically on issues pivotal to the Muslim world.

The Kingdom’s relationship with the west and has done very little for the Palestinian cause. Their non-responsiveness to recent massacres of Rohinga Muslims in Burma, their apprehension on taking in Arab refugees from Syria and other war torn countries in the region, have not been lost on the 1.8 billion Muslims around the world.

The worst of it all is the Muslim casualties in Yemen due to their war on the Houthi rebels. National security is a sovereign right and the Houthis are a problem in the region. However, indiscriminate shelling of densely populated centers is unacceptable. It is not hard to see why Al Jazeera’s coverage of the damage and starving women and children even in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa is a problem.

The embargo on Qatar might be the last straw that broke the Camel’s back. It is unimaginable that such an action could be taken by a Muslim country during the month of Ramadan against another Muslim state. Reports of Qatari pilgrims stuck in airports in the kingdom, as they cannot enter or find a flight out is seriously going to cause a long term distrust between the populous. Why are the average citizens part of the embargo? Surely geopolitical suicide must be averted by the GCC.

The Only Option:

Now more than ever the Kingdom should look inwards and reflect on its relationships with Muslims and the world at large. The planet is becoming more and more unforgiving and intolerant. Attacks by extremists have become an everyday reality for so many; the recent UK attacks are an example. None are more affected by the actions of these few corrupt humans than Muslims. Nine out of ten victims of extremist attacks worldwide are Muslims. Not to mention the backlash and the extreme hatred towards minorities and Muslims in the aftermath of such incidents.

It is imperative that the Kingdom spearheads the global strategy on extremism as a partner to the world powers not a subject. Its contextual knowledge of political Islam can in no way be overlooked, even if such moves like the embargo question the reasoning of the leadership. The kingdom must show the same kind of decisiveness in reminding the western powers that they are part and parcel of the problem. Whether its arms dealing with dictators or bombing sovereign nations disguised as the delivery of democracy, when no one is oblivious to the financial motives.

The Kingdom is not perfect but it is the leader of the Muslim world, this cannot be denied by anyone. Time is of the essence, it must redefine its role and lead by example. I don’t believe the current situation is as dire as the media plays it out to be, nevertheless, it is extremely damaging to the image of the Muslim world.

Today I am sure many of the regions citizens were expect the GCC to come closer together in their finances, military cooperation against extremists, sustainable ai d and negotiating with world powers as one homogenous entity. The next few weeks will be pivotal to the world let alone the region.   

Hamza Egal © copyright 2017 all rights reserved.