Qatari Airbase to Shut Down?

Just a week after a Saudi-led Coalition of five nations cut all diplomatic ties with Qatar, a country accused of supporting extremism, Saudi Arabia is again making waves. Ambassador Yousef Otaiba hinted at using this base to the advantage of our cause when he said, “The airbase is a very nice insurance policy against any additional pressure.”

What he was hinting at is for Congress to meet and discuss whether or not the United States should move their only airbase in the Middle East outside of Qatar. With the airbase being located within their borders, Qatar has had the cover to support instability without question. This airbase may also be why no action has been taken against the Qataris because if they try to, who knows how they will respond. Many American lives could be at risk.

This may not be the Qatari’s fault though, according to Secretary of Defense General James Mattis. He says that this issue surrounding Qatar is a sign of Russia’s efforts to destabilize the West. When asked a question about the issue from Elizabeth Warren he replied, “[Russia is] trying to break any kind of multilateral alliance […] that is a stabilizing influence in the world.”

Regardless of what happens with Russia, one thing is for certain, and that is that the Saudi Arabians are no longer willing to put up with any issues caused by Qatar. It may be a drastic action to take, but maybe that is what needs to happen for a message to be sent to the Qataris. If they believe that they can push boundaries and get away with it then they will continue to do so. They need to realize that they will no longer be appeased with a slap on the wrist, but instead, an actual punishment will force them to stop.

Featured Image via Wikimedia