1. Why in news?
1.1. Saudi Arabia and 3 allies to restore ties with Qatar
1.1.1. 3 allies
1.1.1.1. UAE
1.1.1.2. Bahrain
1.1.1.3. Egypt
2. blockade was imposed on Iran
2.1. In 2017
2.2. By
2.2.1. Saudi Arabia
2.3. Reason given by Saudi Arabia
2.3.1. Accused of ties with radical Islamist groups
2.3.1.1. Qatar acknowledged helping Muslim brotherhood but not ISIS
2.3.2. Accused of supporting terrorism
2.4. Actual reason
2.4.1. Which countries cut links with Qatar
2.4.1.1. Saudi Arabia
2.4.1.2. UAE
2.4.1.3. Bahrain
2.4.1.4. Egypt
2.4.2. To pressurize Qatar to reduce diplomatic and economic relations with
2.4.2.1. Iran
2.4.2.1.1. Shia country
2.4.2.1.2. Saudi Arabia’s rival
2.4.2.1.3. Shares largest gas field with QATAR
2.5. Gulf Cooperation Council
2.5.1. Members
2.5.1.1. Bahrain
2.5.1.2. Kuwait
2.5.1.2.1. Didn’t cut links with Qatar
2.5.1.2.2. Acted as a mediator
2.5.1.3. Oman
2.5.1.3.1. Didn’t cut links with Qatar
2.5.1.4. Qatar
2.5.1.5. Saudi Arabia
2.5.1.6. UAE
2.5.2. Hq-
2.5.2.1. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
2.6. Steps under the blockade
2.6.1. Qatar’s only land border closed
2.6.2. Ships flying the Qatari flag banned from docking
2.6.2.1. At many ports
2.6.3. Regions airspace
2.6.3.1. Was closed to Qatari aircraft
3. Demands placed on Qatar to remove blockade
3.1. Shutting Al-Jazeera
3.1.1. Doha based news network
3.1.2. Showcases many taboo related topics
3.2. closing Turkish military base in Qatar
3.3. Downgrading ties with Tehran
3.4. response from QATAR
3.4.1. Didn’t agree to give its sovereignty
3.4.2. Called embargo a violation of international laws
3.4.3. Established new trade routes with Iran and Turkey
3.4.3.1. To meet needs of its people
3.4.4. Straightened ties with Iran and turkey
3.4.5. Used its oil and gas wealth
3.4.5.1. To propel its economy
4. US role in the conflict
4.1. Initially trump sided with Saudi Arabia
4.1.1. Called Qatar a founder of terror
4.1.1.1. Qatar holds largest American military facility
4.1.1.1.1. In middle east
4.1.1.1.2. Ulied Airbase
4.2. Later stance shifted to neutral
4.3. Exerted pressure on all sides
4.3.1. To end the standoff
5. position of Qatar in the Middle East
5.1. One of the most influential player
5.1.1. Coz of presence of a large gas reserves
5.1.2. Used its wealth on a global stage
5.2. Shares a huge gas field with Iran
5.2.1. Hence wants to maintain good relations with it
5.2.1.1. Problematic for Saudi Arabia who wants to control the geopolitics of the middle east