A s a result of the mediation efforts for Saudi Arabia and Qatar taken by the United States and Kuwait, the sides could overcome the political crisis and provide diplomatic solutions to their existing problems. Recently, the four leading countries of the Arab World including Qatar expressed willingness to establish diplomatic relations. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Egypt and then Qatar strained relations in 2017, when the above-mentioned Arab countries accused Doha of supporting terrorism. A number of economic restrictions were imposed on Qatar with Riyadh cutting off all diplomatic and trade relations with Qatar. Saudi Arabia was then followed by the above-mentioned three Arab countries to also impose its own sanctions on Qatar.

The Arab anti-Qatar front put forward a 13-point demand package, including the suspension of Al-Jazeera news agency, as well as the severance of ties with Iran [1]. One of the demands related to Qatar and Turkey’s growing relations, particularly, to halt establishing the Turkish military base in Qatar. Doha, however, rejected all the demands, continuing its steadfast right to its own decisions. It claims that economic restrictions were aimed at undermining the country's sovereignty. Some experts believe that the imposing of economic restrictions pushed Qatar closer to Iran and Turkey, as Doha was forced to diversify its trade, as well as political alliances.

The US-Kuwaiti mediation mission between the conflicting parties promised tangible results. In December 2020, Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Ahmed Nasser Al Mohammad Al Sabah publicly announced progress, stating that all parties have expressed their willingness and desire for the unity and stability of the Gulf and the Arab world. The parties reached a substantive agreement during the summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council in early January 2021.

At the summit the 4 Arabic countries and Qatar signed an agreement on “regional solidarity and stability”, with which the three-year economic embargo on Qatar is to be lifted and full diplomatic relations restored between the sides. The agreement was also signed by other member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council, such as Kuwait and Oman.

With the signing of the agreement Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced during his speech at the summit: “Thanks to these efforts by the United States and Kuwait, we could reach an agreement, affirming Arab and Islamic solidarity and stability” [2].

Before the signing of the agreement, Doha was firm in his position. According to Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, “No country is in a position to impose any demands on another country ... Each country should decide its foreign policy” [3].

Experts note that the issue remains uncertain for Qatar, whether a compromise solution will be recorded or not, if the demands are not met. That was the main obstacle, which made Doha dig its heels in. It should be noted that resumption of relations between the sides is of regional significance for the United States. In recent years, Washington made significant efforts to begin the process of overcoming and improving the crisis of relations between Riyadh and Doha, putting pressure on the sides.

The White House greatly supported the idea to limit Tehran’s ability to counteract the growing influence of the Gulf nations and to tighten the safety belt around Iran with improving relations with Gulf nations. The Arab world and the United States do not hide that, by and large, this agreement is aimed at restraining Iran. This is also obviously in the interests of Tel Aviv.

Crown prince of Riyadh stated in his speech: “There is a desperate need today to unite our efforts to promote our region and to confront challenges that surround us, especially the threats posed by the Iranian regime's nuclear and ballistic missile program and its plans for sabotage and destruction” [4].

Qatar is of both geographical and political and security significance: being located on the Arabian Peninsula, it borders the Persian Gulf, which is of strategic importance to the United States. In addition, the largest US military base is located in Qatar.

The future of the relations’ largely depends on the foreign policy dominance of the new head of the White House after the US presidential elections. Whether Biden will adhere to the core principles and priorities of Trump’s administration or will changes reshape the region.

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[1] Qatar protests ′unreasonable′ ultimatum from neighbors | News | DW | 24.06.2017

[2] Gulf leaders sign agreement to end Qatar blockade | News | DW | 04.01.2021

[3] Gulf leaders sign agreement to end Qatar blockade | News | DW | 04.01.2021

[4] Gulf leaders sign agreement to end Qatar blockade | News | DW | 04.01.2021