A peaceful relation that has been enjoyed by Kuwait for the past years can only be retained if the country maintains its diplomatic connections. Kuwait is a key player in the diplomatic intervention between Qatar and other Arabic states. The important reasons for the crisis offered by Saudi Arabia and other nations are Qatar’s support of terrorism. “Several countries have cut ties with Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorism in the Gulf region. Neighbours including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have closed their airspace to Qatari planes.” (Qatar backs talks to end Gulf crisis, 2017, par 1-2)This is based on the belief that the GCC will collapse if the crisis with Qatar goes unresolved. Additionally, Kuwait believes that the issues might escalate in the future if not addressed within the right time and the consequences might be more severe. This forms the foundation for Kuwait’s efforts to resolve the crisis. Qatar on the other hand beliefs that its position is fair and will follow a dialogue that is based on a mutual respect, values and principles. This means that intervening in such crisis could result in conflict with the neighboring countries. Kuwait should not intervene in the diplomatic crises between Qatar and the remaining Gulf states due to the following reasons: Kuwait is a historically neutral country. We value diplomatic peace and good relations with other countries outside of war and thus this neutrality should be preserved. The second reason is that Kuwait benefits greatly from the security of the GCC and further escalation of this conflict could cause Kuwait to be discontinued as part of the GCC or worse to be considered a Qatari enemy. Thirdly, Kuwait is bordered by two large countries (Saudi Arabia) (Iran). And relations between Kuwait and these two countries could improve or decrease drastically based on Kuwaitis support, so it’s safer to remain out of it. This retrospect paper, therefore, seeks to divulge into reasons why Kuwait should not mediate the Qatar crisis. The reasons as to why Kuwait should not intervene in Qatar crisis are mainly based on the fact that an external body should be introduced to act as the mediator in the situation. It is hard for Kuwait to intervene in Qatar crisis without having to pick a side to offer its support. Therefore, Kuwait should focus on maintaining its position in order to help preserve the good relationships it has with other states.

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Kuwait has enjoyed continued neutrality over matters regarding the GCC. Over the years the country has maintained its political neutrality in the region given its continued support by the GCC. In this respect, it has seen other countries fully aligning themselves by promoting diplomatic relationships to the Saudi/UAE bloc’s heightened relationships (“Qatar Defiant Amid Gulf Crisis; Kuwait Expected to Mediate”). Kuwait is currently facing a bigger diplomatic challenge as it guides the efforts to solve the long crisis that is threatening the unity of the GCC as well as a primary strategic interest of the neutral Gulf country. “Kuwait tried to mediate a resumption of diplomatic and commercial ties between Qatar and several of its Arab neighbors Tuesday, while U.S. President Donald Trump appeared to back those isolating the energy-rich nation over allegations it supports terror groups and Iran” (Gambrell, par.1). Kuwait has managed to maintain its neutrality in the intra-GCC crisis while playing the role of a peacemaker between Qatar and the four Arab nations. Strong cohesion between the countries is the main interest. Kuwait is the only member of the bloc that has ever been invaded by regional power which includes the Saddam Hussein forces in 1990. Acting as an arbitrator between the two sides, leaders from Kuwait have arranged meetings on several occasions with Qatar in order to issue a response to the demands given by the four Arab nations. The neutral position of Kuwait in the region has placed it in a unique state with the small state being able to serve as a peace broker between Iran and GCC countries. There is a high risk of the GCC unraveling further challenge in the regions hence the need for Kuwait to navigate cautiously. The crisis nevertheless, exposes a major defect in the GCC countries; especially any attempt by the member states to the resolve any conflict. Supporting the mediation could increasingly showcase its support to one member state could potentially affect the relationship with either party. Having a neutral approach will favor the outcome of the crisis.

Over the years Kuwait has enjoyed the security provided by the GCC and picking sides may affect its peaceful coexistence with other states. This implies that in the event that Kuwait is seen to support any conflict escalation, there is a high probability of reduced support by the GCC, or worse yet it may not receive the benefits that it has enjoyed over time (“Chicago Tribune”). Kuwait will not benefit in the event that it becomes Qatar’s enemy. In this respect therefore in order to ensure that both parties’ interests are met, the inclusion of a mediating force out of the GCC would play an important role. The US, for example, could support such diplomatic intervention (“BBC”). This ensures that the mediator is solely a neutral individual and thus the interest from both parties can be aligned. UAE has confirmed that the resolution existing between Qatar and other Arab countries would be effective if diplomatic interventions are done (“The National”). Presently, Gulf States are an important partner to the US in the fight against terrorism and picking a side in such a dispute creates a potential risk of jeopardizing cooperation within the states. The main reason given by Saudi Arabia and other nations that are breaking their connections with Qatar is that the country supports terrorist activities (Gambrell).Qatar has hosted a number of group leaders including Hamas; the United States designated terrorist organization and the spiritual leader of the Muslim Brotherhood who has been involved in the bombing of civilians in Israel. Additionally, Qatar has always ignored to the al-Qaeda patrons who engage in raising money for the groups in the borders as well as sponsoring some of the jihadist groups in Syria. The Gulf States are key partners in the fight against terrorism (“Qatar backs talks to end Gulf crisis”). This includes providing the United States with important information.

Therefore, picking a side is a situation like this means risking the existing cooperation between Kuwait, GCC as well as some of the states that are against terrorist activities. “The US is concerned that the four month-long dispute involving its chief allies in the region is entrenching divisions and may end up forcing Qatar – home to the US’s primary Middle East military base – into a closer relationship with Iran” (Wintour, par.2). This is a complicated relationship that calls for Kuwait to maintain a neutral position in order to continue receiving security support from GCC. Eventually, Kuwait can lack the support it has enjoyed over time, hence the need to allow an outside force to mediate over the crisis, and not Kuwait (Gambrell).

Picking sides, given that the country is centrally located could be catastrophic. The conflicts and fights existing in the individual countries could spill over to the Kuwait region, hence affecting the peace that it has enjoyed over time (“The National”). It is difficult to predict from what region the fight will be felt, however, it is evident that Kuwait could quickly fall in the midst of the fights. Throughout the history, Kuwait has been known to maintain peaceful relationship with the neighboring countries despite the regional attack in 1990. It perceived that Kuwait learned from the events that took place in 1990’s attack (Wintour). This way the country has always maintained a peaceful and cohesion relationship with the regional states. Regional wars can be disastrous and a country takes a lot of time to recover. This way, the role played by Kuwait as a peace mediator has helped to avoid more regional wars from happening. This can only be maintained by country if it avoids picking sides in the Qatar crisis (“BBC”). This means that the country will be fighting with the individual states which could eventually result in unwarranted wars within its borders. It is crucial that Kuwait maintains the peace within its borders so as to continue its growing economy. This will help avoid creating more enemies which would call for use of more resources and other severe impacts such as economic decrease. It will be unwise for Kuwait to pick a side in the crisis when it’s centrally placed as it means that more enemies will be formed in the process (The Qatar Crisis Might Permanently Shift Dynamics in the Region).

It is evident that Kuwait should maintain its political neutrality over Qatar and other nations given the need to enjoy the security under GCC, maintain its neutrality in order to improve its diplomatic relations and lastly to avoid unwarranted wars that could spill over from the warring countries (“BBC”). As long as Kuwait wishes to maintain its political and diplomatic position among the Gulf States, it cannot afford to take sides between Qatar and other Arab nations in an attempt to destabilize fraternal squabbles in the region. Kuwait’s stance on the Gulf crisis between the Saudi-led bloc members –states and Qatar assumes the formation of new alliances. Following the 38th Summit for the Gulf Cooperation Council in December 2017, it is evident that the actual format needs major re-consideration and policy changes. All the Gulf member states, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain, and Egypt are at odds with Qatar’s position facilitating Islamic fundamentalism and associated terrorism. Kuwait’s position on the highest political level was intended to soothe the tension. However, Kuwait is not capable to resolve the Middle East crisis all alone. The country is rather positioned as a mediator between the opposing sides (“Shabina”). Nonetheless, its political capacity and policy impacts are simply not enough to reach the political compromise. The ongoing Gulf crisis assumes a solid amount of divergent opinions and strategic interests of the states. Unfortunately, Qatar’s political establishment has its own distinctive views from the rest of the Gulf member states. However, the conflict is beyond regional; in fact, it is geopolitical while there are geopolitical concerns expressed by the world’s superpowers like the United States and Russia. Qatar is politically accountable for overstepping Gulf boundaries through its independent foreign policy oftentimes at odds with the official stance of the other Gulf neighbors (“Shabina”).

This makes it rather difficult, or almost impossible, for Kuwait or any other country to calm don such an influential player in the region. Still, the united block of the Gulf member states relies on the perspective of generating political alliances enhancing the regional and international influence of individual Arab countries. At that, Qatar’s strategic policy reorientation from neutrality to influence led to actual and potential dangers in the regions. The political establishment of the rest of the regional powers has condemned and penalized Qatar’s stance.

    References
  • BBC. Qatar row: Calls for diplomatic talks to end Gulf crisis, 6 June 2017. Web. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-40168856
  • Gambrell, J. “Kuwait tries to mediate crisis between Qatar and Arab nations.” 6 June 2017, www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-qatar-diplomatic-crisis-20170606-story.html.
  • “Qatar backs talks to end Gulf crisis.” 6 June 2017, www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-40168856.
  • “Qatar Defiant Amid Gulf Crisis; Kuwait Expected to Mediate.” Doha News, 6 June 2017, dohanews.co/qatar-defiant-amid-gulf-crisis-kuwait-expected-to-mediate/.
  • Shabina, Khatri. Qatar defiant amid Gulf crisis; Kuwait expected to mediate, Doha News, June 6, 2017. Web.https://medium.com/dohanews/qatar-defiant-amid-gulf-crisis-kuwait-expected-to-mediate-2dc0f46d6b2a
  • The New Arab. “Kuwait Ruler Says Qatar Crisis Could Herald GCC Breakup.” Alaraby, 25 Oct. 2017, www.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2017/10/25/kuwait-ruler-says-qatar-crisis-could-herald-gcc-breakup.
  • The National. UAE confirms solution to Qatar crisis is based on diplomacy, 8 June, 2017. Web. https://www.thenational.ae/world/gcc/uae-confirms-solution-to-qatar-crisis-is-based-on-diplomacy-1.626584
  • The Qatar Crisis Might Permanently Shift Dynamics in the Region.” The Qatar Crisis Might Permanently Shift Dynamics in the Region, 21 Sept. 2017, www.trtworld.com/opinion/the-qatar-crisis-might-permanently-shift-dynamics-in-the-region-10685.
  • Wintour, P. “US may intervene in Qatar crisis as fears grow over long-term rupture.” 25 Oct. 2017, www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/25/us-may-intervene-in-qatar-crisis-as-fears-grow-over-long-term-rupture.