The decision by Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and other Arab nations to sever ties with Qatar on Monday reflects a long-standing dispute between Qatar and its regional neighbors. In fact, a similar fallout happened in 2014, but Monday's events mark a "severe escalation" that could eventually alter the balance of power in the region, per an analysis at the BBC. Nations aren't just pulling diplomats, they're cutting off land, sea, and air travel, and Qatar relies heavily on imports for its survival. Here's what's happening:
- Terror accusations: The official Saudi press accused Qatar of supporting "terrorist and sectarian groups" such as ISIS, al-Qaeda, Hamas, and the Muslim Brotherhood. Qatar denies supporting militant groups and says there's no "legitimate justification" for the moves.
- More broadly: "The feud—the most serious in decades among some the region’s most key Western allies—has been simmering for years as Qatar increasingly flexed its political muscle across the region, including backing the Muslim Brotherhood," per the Washington Post. The Saudis also accuse Qatar of backing its arch-rival, Iran.