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Boycotting countries’ demands include limiting diplomatic ties to Iran, shutting down the state-funded Al-Jazeera satellite news network and other media outlets, and severing ties to all “terrorist organizations,” including the Muslim Brotherhood and Lebanon’s Hezbollah.
It also demanded Qatar expel the Turkish troops now stationed in the country, as well as pay reparations for alleged damage inflicted by its policies. Qatar rejected the demands as violations of its sovereignty.
STRATEGY
Shortly after the Saudis announced their blockade, U.S. President Donald Trump joined in and called Qatar “a finder of terrorism at a high level” – an endorsement of the blockade that surprised even the U.S. State Department which was working to “ease tensions.” Later that same week the U.S. signed a $12 billion deal to sell fighter jets to Qatar, as two U.S. warships arrived to carry out joint military exercises with the country. Months later, in December 2017, Qatar announced it would buy fighter jets and armored vehicles from France as part of 12 billion euro deal.
S-400 SYSTEM
In October, during a visit by King Salman to Moscow, the kingdom signed preliminary
agreements to buy the S-400 system. Qatar likely views the S-400 acquisition as a means
of generating goodwill in Moscow. Many of Qatar’s procurement decisions are based on their potential for strengthening alliances, not operational efficacy.
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