Kuwaiti mediation efforts led by the country’s emir Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad, a veteran statesman seasoned in Gulf and Arab relations, are key. Oman’s role may serve to calm Doha and urge it to think strategically, rather than reactively, because Qatar stands to be harmed the most by the consequences. Yet it is the American role with Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar that is essential. Some are peddling the conspiracy theory that the US has instigated the crisis to further bleed the GCC countries and exploit their rivalries and divisions. Still the sources stress the matter is not black or white, because US relations with Qatar are mature and Qatar is home to a major US base, and because the US needs Qatar.

Source: Huffington Post June 11, 2017 07:52 UTC