Middle East Experience

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)’s member states are in the “utmost need” to unite their efforts to advance the region and face the challenges that surround them, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said during his speech at the 41st GCC Summit in AlUla on Tuesday.“We are in utmost need to unite our efforts to advance our region and confront the challenges that surround us, particularly the threats posed by the Iranian regime’s nuclear program, its ballistic missile program, its destructive sabotage projects as well as its terrorist and sectarian activities adopted by Iran and its proxies to destabilize the security and stability in the region,” the crown prince said.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The GCC leaders call on the international community to work together to stop these programs that threaten the security of the region and the world, he added.Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also announced that the member states have all signed the AlUla Declaration, named after the Saudi Arabian region where the historic summit was held.Also read: Watch: Qataris celebrate Saudi Arabia borders reopening after three year closure The AlUla Declaration “affirms the importance of the solidarity and stability in the Gulf, Arab and Islamic countries and strengthens the bonds of friendship and brotherhood among our countries and peoples in order to serve their aspirations,” the crown prince said.The council is “based on the special relationship among our countries and common denominators, including the bonds of faith, kinship, and our peoples’ common destiny,” he added.The Kingdom’s Vision 2030 plan prioritizes a unified and solid Gulf Cooperation Council, in addition to strengthening the Arab and Islamic cooperation in a way that serves the security, stability, and prosperity of our countries and the region, he said.The summit is missing two great leaders who played a significant role in mediating talks between member states, the late Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah and the late Sultan Qaboos, the crown prince said.“We miss, this year, two great leaders who had a significant role in supporting the joint Gulf action, Sultan Qaboos bin Said and Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad. In recognition of their great efforts over decades in the support of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques directed that this summit shall be named the Summit of Sultan Qaboos and Sheikh Sabah,” he said.The crown prince also thanked the United States for its efforts in mediating the rift between Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt.The countries cut diplomatic and trade links with Doha in 2017 over its ties with the Muslim Brotherhood and its interference in their affairs.Ahead of the summit, the crown prince welcomed Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to AlUla with a hug.Read more:GCC Summit: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince welcomes Qatari Emir to AlUla with a hugGCC Summit in Saudi Arabia begins in AlUla’s Maraya HallSaudi Arabia’s ancient city of AlUla hosts the 41st GCC Summit
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: GCC Summit: Saudi Crown Prince says member states must unite against Iran’s threats

Saudi Arabia announced on Monday that it would be opening its air, land, sea borders to neighboring Qatar, signaling a warming of relations for the first time since the Kingdom and three other Arab countries severed diplomatic and trade ties with Doha.Tensions between Qatar and other Gulf countries are nothing new. The Qatari state has long been accused of undermining the security concerns of its Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) counterparts.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app. As relations look set to ease after more than three years of boycott, here is a timeline of the most significant events leading up to the recent Gulf crisis.-1992: Border clashesAn early spat between Qatar and Saudi Arabia occurred in 1992 when a clash at their land border led to several deaths.-2002-2008: Saudi Arabia withdraws ambassador Protesting against Qatari broadcaster Al Jazeera’s coverage of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh withdrew its ambassador to Doha in 2002. The ambassador did not return again until 2008.-March-November 2014: Saudi, Bahrain and UAE ambassadors withdrawn In March 2014, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain withdrew their ambassadors to Qatar over the country’s support of Islamist groups including the Muslim Brotherhood.The UAE and Saudi Arabia had listed the political Islamist movement as a terrorist organization and took umbrage with the fact that Qatar provided sanctuary to some brotherhood members and extended citizenship to cleric Sheikh Youssef al-Qaradawi, long considered the spiritual leader of the Muslim Brotherhood.At that time, Qatar held the presidency of the GCC. Relations thawed in November when Qatar’s Emir invited fellow GCC members to an annual summit in Doha. Several days later, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain agreed to return their ambassadors.-June 2017: All relations severedFour Arab countries severed relations with Qatar on June 5, citing the country’s support for Iran and Islamist militants.Later that month, an ultimatum listing 13 demands was issued, giving Qatar 10 days to reply.These included: Curbing ties with Iran and terrorist organizations, shutting down Al Jazeera and its affiliates, ending Turkish military presence in Qatar, handing over wanted terrorists, ending interference in its neighbors’ internal affairs, pay reparations for damage caused by its policies, allowing its neighbors to monitor it for compliance.According to the Saudi Press Agency, Saudi Arabia took the decision as a result of “serious and systematic violations committed by the authorities in Doha over the past years with the aim of creating strife among Saudi internal ranks, undermining its sovereignty and embracing various terrorist and sectarian groups aimed at destabilizing the region.”Saudi Arabia’s central bank advised banks in the Kingdom not to trade with Qatari banks in Qatari riyals. The three Gulf states closed all transport links with the country, giving residents and visitors two weeks to leave. Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt banned Qatari planes from landing and forbade them from crossing their air space.The UAE and Saudi Arabia stopped exports of white sugar to Qatar. Some residents in Qatar began stockpiling food and supplies, an expatriate told Reuters.-June 2018: Qatar announces ambition to join NATOOne year into the crisis, Qatar’s defense minister made a bid to bolster relations with NATO by announcing the country’s ambition to join the Western military pact, according to pan-Arab newspaper Asharq al-Awsat.This ambition was short-lived however, as a NATO official soon afterwards told AFP that membership is restricted to European countries.-January 2021: Saudi Arabia set to end to boycottAfter years of division, Kuwait’s foreign minister announced on January 5 that Saudi Arabia intended to reopen its land, air, and sea borders to Qatar.The announcement was made the day before the GCC summit in Saudi Arabia’s AlUla. Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani arrived in Saudi Arabia to attend the event and was greeted by the Kingdom’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.GCC countries’ rhetoric at the event stressed unity and Secretary-General Nayef Falah al-Hajraf highlighted the “deep-rooted” ties between member states.The thawing of relations sparked celebrations from Qatari nationals which were shared widely on social media.With ReutersRead more: Qatar’s Emir confirms attendance at GCC Summit in Saudi Arabia’s AlUlaWatch: Qataris celebrate Saudi Arabia borders reopening after three year closureGCC Secretary-General says Saudi-Qatari borders reopening reflects ‘deep-rooted’ ties
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Arabia-Qatar relations: Timeline of significant events in the Gulf crisis

The agreement was struck a day after Saudi Arabia agreed to reopen its air, land and sea borders to rival Qatar.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Qatar, Gulf states ink 'solidarity and stability' deal in Saudi Arabia

The Young Settlements Forum launched Jan. 4 a hunger strike, calling on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to abandon his rapprochement with the Arab public and advance instead the legalizing of 70 wildcat outposts in the West Bank.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Settlers launch hunger strike, call on Netanyahu to legalize West Bank outposts

With the Iranians now resuming uranium enrichment, Jerusalem prepares itself for the Biden administration resuming nuclear talks with Tehran.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Israel in bind over Iran resuming uranium enrichment

Female representatives of Turkey's ruling party have been a useful tool to expand patriarchal policies.
Source: Al Monitor
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: "We are in a state of emergency."
Source: Jerusalem Post
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Experts credit increased access to contraception, sex-ed
Source: Jerusalem Post
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The prosecution's conduct has been accused of amounting to a cover-up for the police.
Source: Jerusalem Post
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‘The UAE is keen to provide vaccinations to young people and those who are 18 years and older’..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Increase in UAE Covid cases: Vaccination drive to control virus spread