Qatar has a long history of going against the consensus of the Arab Gulf countries, as has been proven once again by the recent stand taken by Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad which went against fellow states of the region. Qatar has even provided a safe haven to extremists and terrorist groups. A relative of the former foreign minister of Qatar was found involved in financing Al-Qaida in Syria, Jibhat Al-Nusrah and Daesh in Syria and Iraq. Speaking to Al-Riyadh Arabic newspaper, Dr Tariq Fahmi, professor of political science at the American University of Cairo, said the recent statement of the Qatari Emir, as reported by the Qatari News Agency, did not merit denial or acceptance. There are interests in Qatar instigating such controversial issues. About Qatar's support to terrorism, Dr Fahmi said that Brotherhood dominates all the financial and economic planning centers inside Qatar. He noted that there are divisions even within Qatar's political system. There are key differences on adopting priorities within the ruling family. An attempt to overthrow Tamim in 2014, soon after he took over power, is a clear indication of these divisions. This is why Tamim has not appointed any crown prince so far. He has only appointed Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad as his deputy, but without any powers. Dr Fahmi said that Qatar's defiant act of congratulating the Iranian president on his reelection was another attempt to provoke the Arab world. At the same time, Doha continued to hold meetings with Arab personalities, including the Kuwaiti foreign minister, for mediation between Qatar and the Gulf countries, to please the Kingdom. He said that Qatar was trying to play roles which are larger than it can ever handle for its size. It is using its media to play with Arab affairs and foment divisions. Dr Ammar Ali Hasan, a political thinker and researcher, told Al-Riyadh that Qatar was seeking to emerge as a regional power by flaunting its wealth to mask its irrelevance as a small country with little voice in the global arena. This has resulted in Qatar adopting contradictory policies against other Arab countries, particularly the Gulf states. Dr Said Al-Laondi, international relations specialist in the Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies, said that Qatar always wanted to alienate itself from Arab consensus. The Emir's statement was part of this calculated, distancing strategy. American President Donald Trump had praised Qatar during his visit to Saudi Arabia. But following the recent statements of Sheikh Tamim, the US might change tracks and desist from supporting Qatar on various fronts. Washington simply cannot afford to dilute its strong relations with Riyadh.
