Qatar Reaches Deal With Rest Of GCC To End Three-Year Standoff

Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt and the UAE announced an end to their air, land, and sea blockades on Qatar at the summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) that got underway today in the northern Saudi city of Al-Ula.

• The four countries imposed a boycott on Qatar in June 2017, when their governments accused Doha of supporting terrorist groups, spoke out against Qatari media outlets for perceived bias, and due to Qatar's close relationship with Iran.
• The agreement sees a 'non-aggression pact' signed between the GCC states with the intent of ending a 'war of words' between media outlets across the region, as well as ending high-profile legal claims against the boycotting nations.
• Qatar refused to acquiesce to the other nations' political demands that included disavowing the Muslim Brotherhood organisation and shutting down the Al Jazeera news network.
• The timing of the agreement comes at a time when Riyadh is likely wary of a less cooperative relationship with the US under the incoming Biden administration. The Saudi gov'ts efforts to improve regional relations therefore may be an attempt to show the US that Riyadh remains committed to ensuring a continued US interest and presence in the Middle East to counter Iranian influence (Qatar remains an ally of the US and is home to the huge Al Udeid Air Base, home to US and UK air forces).