The belligerence which has developed between Saudi Arabia and Qatar has been framed by the major media as another Sunni-Shia dispute. Lurking to its side is Iran, which has been labelled a terror-sponsoring state heavily involved in destabilizing the Middle East. It has been demonized relentlessly for decades. Further, due to Russia diplomatically and economically "hanging out" with Iran, the major media, Democrats and U.S. intelligence agencies have tried to imply that Russia was also guilty by association. Russia's relationship with the Ukraine has furthered American suspicions regarding its general intentions.
Since Qatar has been widely, if sotto voce, understood to be supporting al-Qaeda, ISIS and "reform" rebels in the insurrections in Iraq and Syria, it should expect to hold an esteemed fellowship among Sunni Arabia. After all, Saudi Arabia and its Arab allies (along with the Israelis, the CIA, the UK's MI5/6 and Turkey) have also supported al-Qaeda, ISIS and a potpourri of reformists/terrorists elements. Even Macron has expressed willingness to send "Le boots au brulant sol." However, love isn't always on time, and "now" doesn't seem in the cards as Salman of Arabia hurls charges terrible and demands most difficult.
Puzzled Americans ask, "What's going down?"
One motivation for King Salman's behavior toward Qatar is to acquire Qatar's energy reserve. Unlike typical American assumptions in regard to Saudi's oil reserves and its riches derived drawing oil therefrom, Saudi Arabia has been squeezed by below-$50 oil prices. It has been selling off a bunch of its reserve U.S. bonds to help pay for the lifestyle its abundant royal princes and scattered citizens have come to expect. Its reserves must be nearer to 80 billion barrels than 170 billion. Although this Saudi oil is one of the last easily gotten oil reserves, the oil fields appear to have peaked years ago. Further, as it is known that to produce more oil for their current national needs, the Saudis have been pumping more water into the fields to lift the oil for speedy pumping - and the percentage of water has been increasing noticeably as well. The process is similar to that used by U.S. shale fraking operations.
The main point here is that the only natural resource possessed by the Saudi Arabians which enabled them to live a very comfortable lifestyle was - and is - petroleum and the energy derived therefrom. They can see the handwriting on the wall.
Undoubtedly advised by Israelis, Americans and British "experts," Saudi Arabia involved itself in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen. In the latter case, Saudis are active belligerents against the Houthis, who appear to be the majority people, or tribe, seeking to put one of their own into leadership, disdaining an American puppet. Not too surprisingly, the Houthis are also Shia.
Since Shia Muslims are generally suspected of being in league with Iran, which has been certified by the U.S. major media as an important demon ally of the Devil, these non-Iranian Shia usually have been negatively framed. Because of the Iranian connection, these other Shias provoke the animosity of Israel especially, as the Israelis proclaim as doctrine that Iran represents an existential threat. When Israel is hot, American politicians promptly threaten the cause of Israel's wrath.
While Israel undoubtedly has other angles unmentioned or obscurely alluded to, the U.S. has a more simple approach: War or puppets. No wonder Middle Easterners see a new crusade being waged against them.
Since the United States has a base in Qatar and has Saudi Arabia as an ally, it may well see this situation as the perfect one to cause regime change, help King Salman and possibly engineer a pretext to attack Iran. As Iran hasn't provoked a war by attacking one of its neighbors in several hundred years, a "false flag" incident might have to be engineered. With the Tonkin Gulf "attack" as an example of American "know-how" in reacting to "an unprovoked attack," wheels may be turning in Langley and the Pentagon.
Turkey has also sent troops to Qatar. This NATO ally and business partner with Russia in a new pipeline to Europe has enigmatic relevance to the brewing conflict.
My suspicion is that U.S., British, Israeli and Saudi intelligence organizations will pressure Qatar into a regime change. They will engineer a coup d'état as well, placing still another Saudi Arabian prince on the throne of Qatar. Subsequently, Qatar will be absorbed into Saudi Arabia, bringing its great wealth along as a "wedding dowry" which would greatly assist the Saudis to overcome for a few decades the consequences of low oil prices and dwindling reserves. [If Yemen has vast oil reserves, it may receive the same treatment.]
Even in the burning sands, it's a jungle out there.
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