What is going on between Saudi Arabia and Qatar?

There has been major geopolitical tensions in the Gulf region due to the relation between Saudi and Qatar. Although both nations have always remained members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), a severe diplomatic rift emerged in 2017 that triggered a regional crisis that captured the attention of the world.

The Gulf Crisis: Diplomatic and economic boycott

In June 2017 Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Egypt broke off diplomatic relations with Qatar. They accused Qatar of financing terrorism, interfering with the internal affairs of the neighboring states, backing media houses bought or owned by Al Jazeera—believed to advance revolutionary fervor in the Arab world—specifically in the lead up to the Arab Spring.

As a result, these nations have closed land borders, banned Qatar Airways from their airspace and expelled Qatari diplomats who were given only 48 hours to leave. Qatar’s economic and diplomatic ties were significantly affected; however, the country quickly adjusted by enhancing relations with other allies such as Turkey, Iran and the U.S.

The Saudi canal proposal: Turning Qatar into an Island

One of the most symbolic, though unimplemented, suggestions during the peak of the crisis was a proposal by entities within Saudi Arabia to dig a canal along the Qatari border, which would have turned Qatar into an island. This plan, however, was never officially adopted by the Saudi government.

Media and influence: Al Jazeera's role

The international media network, Al Jazeera of Qatar, became a major point of controversy. Saudi Arabia and its allies accused the network of destabilising the region through airing anti-government protests and providing a platform to opposition voices. Al Jazeera had a crucial part in reporting the revolution in Egypt and the downfall of Gaddafi in Libya, winning and losing plaudits across the Arab world.

Economic rivalry and strategic growth

There is more than political tension there is also an economic rivalry. Although Saudi Arabia has been dependable on revenue from oil for decades, Qatar has made use of oil as well as natural gas and is the world’s leading (gross) exporter of the liquid variety of natural gas (LNG). Qatar has also had significant global investments such as London property, and has won prestige by winning the rights to stage the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Qatar’s rapid development and rising global influence has prompted strategic rivalry with its larger neighbors.

Military and security balance

And although Qatar’s military strength is not very strong, it is tilted towards security due to hosting the largest U.S. military base in the Middle East, Al Udeid Air Base. This renders any military type of intervention highly unbelievable with both Saudi Arabia and Qatar being major U.S. allies as well.

Reconciliation efforts and current status

The Qatar boycott officially ended with the signing of the Al-Ula Declaration in January 2021, leading to the normalization of diplomatic relations, reopening of borders, and the resumption of Qatar Airways flights. As of 2025, the relationship between Qatar and Saudi Arabia has largely stabilized, with increased cooperation in energy, technology, and sports. However, strategic rivalry remains, especially in terms of regional leadership, international alignments—Qatar aligning more closely with Turkey, while Saudi Arabia maintains strong ties with the UAE and Western powers—and influence through media and diplomacy.

Conclusion

The tensions is just a small part of the entire power play in the Gulf over the media's control. energy supremacy; economic battle, and changing friendships. Since the signing of the Al-Ula Declaration in the year 2021, formal diplomatic ties have apparently become a lot better as there have been high level visits between the two nations and cooperation at regional forums. Strategic competitiveness still exists, but is now more dressed up in an economic/ political guise as opposed to outright hostility.

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