NEWS
EVENTS
Qatar Accused of Funding Terrorism... by Funders of Terrorism
In a political earthquake Saudi Arabia, U.A.E, Bahrain and Egypt cut all diplomatic ties with Qatar, their Gulf neighbour. Qatar is accused of spreading chaos by funding terrorism and supporting Iran.
While evidence below suggests that Qatar does have ties to terrorist groups, the Saudi Royals have also had involvement with the destabilisation of the Middle East. Evidence shows that countries like Saudi Arabia have had involvement in global events such as 9/11 and bombings in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Yemen.
So why Qatar?
Qatar has had tensions with its neighbouring states for the last two years. The Saudi Royal's had accused Qatar in 2014 of funding the Muslim Brotherhood and housing some of its members, as well as supporting Hamas with funding and military power in Gaza.
However, the repercussions of those accusations weren't as serious as what's happening now. Qatar is currently seeing its citizens and government officials deported back from the neighbouring Gulf states, air and sea travel suspended and it's land borders with Saudia Arabia shut, effectively cutting off the country to the rest of the Arabian area.
Of course, Donald Trump and the US are involved in some way. This move comes weeks after Trumps first presidential foreign visit which was to Saudi Arabia.
US National Security Adviser insisted "the entire trip is about human rights, about all civilised people coming together to fight hatred" - interesting statement to make, considering he was in a country which executes anyone who disagrees with their views.
In his speech, Trump claimed him and the Arabian leaders were the "friends" and that they should "drive out the terrorists".
Sources also suggested that during Trump's first visit he may have driven a wedge between the Gulf States.
The irony of the story, of course, is Donald Trump recently confirmed a $110 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia. The same country which has been using those very weapons to bomb countries like Syria and Yemen.
The US isn't the only country with blood on their hands. The UK, France and Germany are also involved with dealing with terrorist funders with their dealings in selling arms, training, refuelling and intel sharing.
For more on that, click here.
The US's involvement in the Gulf this past year.
This Wednesday, we have seen the succession of the new ruler of the Saudi Kingdom pass to Mohammed Bin Salman, King Salman's Son. King Salman, fired Mohammed Bin Nayef who was previously praised by the Obama Administration for his counter-terrorism efforts.
Trump once assuming power in January stated that Mohammed Bin Salman (MBS) was his partner in the middle east and in turn, MBS has praised Trump for his shared view on Iran. MBS has ruled out any dialogue with Iran.
What is clear from this is that the US has strengthened their links to the Saudi Kingdom, through the selling of arms and the influencing of the succession. MBS was previously in charge of Saudi Arabia's oil and defence. He has also led the attack on Yemen for the last two years.
With all this going on, Qatar is getting the heat.
On May 27, Qatar's ruling emir called the Iranian President to congratulate him on his re-election despite growing tensions, to highlight that they would not cave to the U.S and the Gulf states aggressive actions towards Iran. These rising tensions could lead to a bigger crisis in the Middle East.
What's evident is that every country involved in this situation has in many ways, multiple connections to terrorist groups. Calling one out when your involvement is worse itself, is hypocrisy.
