Bahrain Mirror: The blockade imposed on Qatar by Saudi Arabia - along with the UAE, Egypt, Libya, and Bahrain - on 5 June was a cataclysmic or game-changing incident in international relations, stated the Middle East Monitor, highlighting that the US has set the stage for a new Gulf war.

In an article published on the MEMO website, Muhammad Javad pointed out that the reasons for the diplomatic crisis are: Qatar's increasing friendliness and diplomatic ties with Iran, and its support for certain groups during the Arab Spring protests which took place in 2011, which Saudi Arabia believes threaten its stability.

He further noted that reason Saudi Arabia propagates, however, is the accusation that Qatar has been and is funding terrorism throughout the region.

The political analyst described Qatar as a rebel, noting that the main reason for the split in relations is more likely the fact that Qatar has a reputation for going its own way. "Not only has its foreign policy diverted from that of its larger neighbour, but it has in fact jeopardised it, backing and funding elements which are opposed by Saudi Arabia."

He further stated that in the aftermath of the diplomatic shutdown, Saudi Arabia drew up 13 impossible and absurd demands for Qatar in order for relations to be re-established, including shutting down Al Jazeera and all of its stations, severing all ties with Iran and closing the Turkish base in Qatar.

As for the United States, Muhammad highlighted that despite Trump's apparent support for Saudi's stance with regards to the view that Qatar sponsors terrorism, his administration has had quite the opposite view, urging Saudi Arabia and the UAE to ease the blockade.

"One would be naïve to think that the US supports one or the other, however. Though the US did honour the Saudis by striking up a multi-billion dollar arms deal with them and strengthening relations weakened by the Obama administration"

He goes on to say that the message is clear: the US is arming both sides of the conflict, as it has done countless times in so many regional crises, adding that there are fears that Saudi Arabia will take military action against Qatar if the demands are not met, and that there will be a scene reminiscent of the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait - a hegemonic giant bullying the vulnerable kid next door.

Concluding his article, Javad Muhammad stressed that the US has set the stage for a fresh armed conflict ready to burst at any time - a new Gulf War.

Arabic Version