The Qatar Diplomatic Crisis and the Theory of Realism

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The Qatar Diplomatic Crisis
The economic and political stability of nations depends to a great extent on its relations with neighboring countries. The actions of a country can impact its diplomatic relations with others. The Qatar diplomatic crisis that began in June 2017 can be used to understand how alliance work in international relations. Some countries in the Middle East have cut off relations with Qatar over allegations that the country has been supporting terrorism (BBC). This paper examines the crisis in the context of international relations. Specifically, the paper looks at the situation as it relates to the theory of realism.
Since June 2017, there has been a split between Qatar and some middle-eastern countries namely: the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain, Libya, and the Maldives. As informed by the BBC, Qatar’s refusal to comply with the initial demands from UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Bahrain are the source of the diplomatic row. As a result, these countries decided to cut ties with Qatar, with the main allegation that the country supports terrorist activities. Some of the key demands of the countries were that Qatar puts an end to its individualist foreign policies and that it shuts down Al Jazeera (BBC). Other demands included cutting ties with terrorist groups, closing down of Turkish military base, and alignment with other Arab countries economically, socially, militarily, and politically. However, the country was not ready to comply with the measures, citing a threat to national sovereignty and violation of international law.
The first historical cause of the diplomatic crisis is the support of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt during the Arab Spring. Unlike other Arab states, Qatar supported the Muslim Brotherhood. As informed by Ulrichsen, Qatar’s support of the Islamist group came under scrutiny from the UAE and Saudi Arabia, who had carried out sustained campaigns to undermine the group (4). Therefore, the current diplomatic crisis partly stems from Qatar’s support of the Muslim Brotherhood during the Arab Spring. Qatar’s alleged involvement with militant groups such as the Islamic State and Al Qaeda also forms the basis for the current diplomatic row it is experiencing with other Middle Eastern countries. As noted by the BBC, Qatar acknowledges offering help to the Muslim Brotherhood but denies links to other militant groups. The second historical cause of the crisis emanates from Qatar’s relations with Iran. It is important to note that Saudi Arabia, a major member of the Gulf Cooperation Council, has been a bitter rival of Iran for several years. Saudi Arabia has been trying to contain the rising influence of Iran (Marcus). Therefore, goo...