Damn that’s got to be the biggest ransom since Atahualpa!
Thanks to all.
I listened to the 30 minute show on Al-Jazeera website. They had three speakers, sorry I can’t remember any of their names, one was a local who was at a minimum ver pro-Qatar government if not an official spokesman, there was a professor in Qatar who seems to understand the Iranian angle, and a British analyst who claimed to have broadly predicted this (“got a few details wrong…”) in an article several days ago. What little I could understand is:
The Qatar government was blindsided by this. They are clearly and reasonably very rattled. The fear doesn’t seem to be whether they will have to make concessions, but whether they will be allowed to stay in power.
The British analyst pointed to a deputy crown prince in SA as the leader of this effort. It is described as a power grab by this prince to move up in the line of succession. And there are other reasons, but that one stuck out. Apparently the crown prince is much more pro Qatar but for reasons of court politics can’t speak publicly.
Everyone is looking to Turkey for leadership. What side they pick is apparently critical. Not sure why.
Everyone assumes that Trump tacitly gave the OK for this by not discouraging SA. It can only hurt the US military (there are bases in all the countries on both sides of this dispute). No one thinks the US is directly involved or really has a say. Trump picked his side and now the game is underway. India and China will have more influence.
thanks to Alessan for his clarifications. They helped me understand a little more about what is happening.
And thanks to AK84 for his comments.
The Dope is much enriched by having views like those, even when they differ…, on this complex area.
Many countries feel they have complicated or tough politics-but the Middle East has everyone outclassed in politics! Only people who grew up near there like AK84 or live there like Alessan can hope to grasp what is going on in that region.
Is Oman next?
Not only did they praise the Iranian nuclear deal (as did Qatar), they actively played a big part in making it happen, presumably pissing off the Saudis something fierce.
Hm
"*Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, whose AK Party has its roots in Islamist politics and who has voiced support for the Brotherhood, signaled his firm backing for Qatar by swiftly signing a law to send troops to a Turkish base there.
Turkey will send warplanes and warships to Qatar after an initial deployment of troops, the mass-circulation Hurriyet newspaper said on its website.
Turkish officials were not immediately available to comment on the report, but Hurriyet said there were plans to send some 200 to 250 soldiers within two months."
*
Huh? I mean sure, let Erdogan (or Qatar, if they’re paying for it) waste his money, but that’s just a completely out-of-the-left field and seemingly senseless thing to do.
A bit of an update 
*A look at the demands:
— Curb diplomatic ties with Iran and close its diplomatic missions there. Expel members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard from Qatar and cut off any joint military cooperation with Iran. Only trade and commerce with Iran that complies with U.S. and international sanctions will be permitted.
— Sever all ties to “terrorist organizations,” specifically the Muslim Brotherhood, the Islamic State group, al-Qaida, and Lebanon’s Hezbollah. Formally declare those entities as terrorist groups.
— Shut down Al-Jazeera and its affiliate stations.
— Shut down news outlets that Qatar funds, directly and indirectly, including Arabi21, Rassd, Al Araby Al-Jadeed and Middle East Eye.
— Immediately terminate the Turkish military presence currently in Qatar and end any joint military cooperation with Turkey inside of Qatar.
— Stop all means of funding for individuals, groups or organizations that have been designated as terrorists by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, Bahrain, the United States and other countries.
— Hand over “terrorist figures” and wanted individuals from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain to their countries of origin. Freeze their assets, and provide any desired information about their residency, movements and finances.
*
… etc.
Wow. Saudis et al. are really mad at Muslim Brotherhood and Turkey.
Kha. How naive… It is that the Ibn Saud are very fragilized in their psoition and the Brotherhood is a convenient target of opportunity to distract.
The targetting of the media that is critical of the Ibn Saud in Arabic is the great signal.
Meanwhile, there have been some changes in the Saudi Royal heirachy…
Is it just me, but are there all of a sudden a lot many more influential thirtysomethings in many countries?
The Chinese model of training leaders from grassroots up is looking more and more sane with each passing day.
Hmmmm I can think of three: Kushner, Macron, now Mohammed bin Salman. Who did I miss?