Experts: Qatar should be labeled as a sponsor of terrorism

CAIRO – 9 June 2017: The recent decision to cut diplomatic ties with Qatar taken by several Arab nations earlier this week is expected to spread stability in the region, according to U.S. news publication Newsweek in an article on Wednesday.

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.), Egypt and Bahrain took the decision earlier this week due to Qatar’s continued financial and material support to regional terrorism.

Despite Qatar’s small size and limited military capabilities, the country’s influence has reached as far afield as Sudan, Eritrea, Libya, and Somalia, and has entered alliances and provided support to groups such as Hezbollah, the Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas, Al-Qaeda, Al-Shabab and the Taliban.

U.S. President Donald Trump is not the first U.S. president to accuse Qatar of sponsoring terrorism, after the American leader praised the Arab nations’ decision to isolate Qatar earlier this week. Writing for Newsweek, experts from the counter-extremist think tank Quilliam have recommended that the Trump administration should now publically declare Qatar a sponsor of terrorism and force the country to change course and forgo its links to extremist organizations through several measures.

Actions recommended would include the relocation of U.S. military assets from Al-Udeid Air Base near Doha, emphasizing that the U.S. will not negotiate with the region’s security and stability for the sake of retaining a military presence in the country.

Other steps include the suspension of U.S. weapon sales to Qatar until all Muslim Brotherhood and other terrorist organizations are deported from the country and financial support to them is cut.

The suspension of Qatari businesses’ bank transactions, a reduction in U.S. financial institutions’ businesses dealings with the country, and the suspension of diplomatic ties with Qatar by other countries are also recommended steps to be taken in order to encourage a settlement for peace in the region.