The deadline to extend the deadline for Qatar to respond to the demands of Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain and Egypt was done in good faith. These countries continue to believe that Qatar will see reason and return to where it truly belongs – that is, the Arab world. A return to the Arab fold is in no way a loss of face for Qatar. Only media organs, such as the Al-Jazeera channel, will try to stoke the fires and seek to keep Qatar in solitary confinement. People hostile to the region will also use the social media to instigate Qatar to remain adamant, however foolish this may be at this point. Well-wishers are looking at every way to end the crisis, restore Doha to the flock, and prevail on it to be a constructive partner in the Gulf and Arab world. But the story continues unchanged. Qatar remains a prime example of obstinate rulers who have caused their countries to fall apart. This is what has happened in countries like Iraq, Syria, Libya and Yemen. Despite the sins committed by Doha over the past two decades ago, observers see the boycott as a genuine desire by the region's key players to drill some sense into the heads of the Qatari rulers. But for now, the Qataris have opted to ally with the devil, only serving the interests of the enemy. Qatar's choice is simple: Be an honest partner in the GCC, Arab League and Organization of Islamic Cooperation; or it can continue to remain isolated by toeing the line of the region's enemies, who are gleefully manipulating the tiny emirate into working against its own neighborhood. The Gulf Arab states have nothing to lose in the standoff. But they are the ones most eager on Qatar returning home – in the interest of regional harmony.
