Qatar, home of Al Jazeera

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt probably have their reasons for the boycott against Qatar. But, reading through the 13 points of their ultimatum, some of them seem curious to say the least. First, the demand that Doha close down Al Jazeera is a real mystery. I watch their news broadcasts (not shows a la Quest or Cristine Amanpour). The  broadcasts are some of the best TV journalism to be found. Opinions and positions are always well grounded in facts and obvious research into issues. Of course there is more attention given to the Islamic world  but that is natural. AL Jazeera also offers some of the best documentaries to be found on television. Qatar´s friendship with Turkey and Iran makes sense. Tell me who your neighbors are and  I will tell you who my friends are. Probably Qatar does maintain channels of contacts with Arab organizations not of Saudi liking, but after all, such channels could be of interest to others who have none. Talking is not supporting. That the four countries demand that Qatar cease to interfere in their internal affairs, well…, talk about the pot calling the kettle black! Then, there is the issue of double nationality. If people live in Youngstown or Doha for years it seems natural enough that they be allowed  nationality there. Qatar is a tiny nation but it is a sovereign one too.  Were it larger, those now pressuring her might not have made demands that they know are doomed to failure. CNN, the financial Times, the BBC, Reuters, the Atlantic and papers such as El Mundo here in Spain all label the 13 demands as excessive, abusive and designed to failure. At least the media might consider standing by Al Jazeera, one of the very few free sources of serious news in the Islamic world where even progressive regimes like those that censure Qatar are at times called to face public opinion in an open forum listened to around the world.