The Gulf Reconciliation: A Resounding Qatari Victory, Or A Temporary Truce In The Gulf?
January 19, 2021 | By Y. Yehoshua
Introduction
The summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), held on January 5, 2021 in the Saudi city of Al-Ula, announced a reconciliation among the Gulf countries and the start of a new era in the region. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt, known as the Arab Quartet, ended their economic and diplomatic boycott of Qatar that lasted more than three years. Led by Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman, the move to lift the boycott was mediated by Kuwait and followed heavy pressure from the outgoing Trump administration, especially from Trump s son-in-law Jared Kushner. To date, the understandings that led to the Gulf reconciliation have not been disclosed.