The two-speed nature of the Qatar crisis has been one of the more pronounced characteristics of a dispute that has rumbled on since early June.
On the one side, the quartet of nations – Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE – have consistently demonstrated quick thinking, clear logic and a firm grasp of diplomatic reality.
On Sunday, for instance, the quartet’s statements in Manama reiterated that there was no siege of Doha, despite what those on the peninsula would have some believe, and that there was a way out for Sheikh Tamim and his country. If Qatar stopped supporting terrorism and committed to dialogue, then negotiation would lead to a settlement. At stake, according to one comment from the quartet, is “the future of the Middle East”, which, as statements go, cuts quickly to the heart of this regional dispute.
Compare this to the leaden-footed response from Doha. Too vague in its pronouncements, too inconsistent in its policy making and too prone to prevarication. Late last month, Qatar said it would amend its anti-terror legislation and its emir talked of correcting “our error”, but he has done little since to suggest that this was any more than applying a small sticking plaster to a gaping wound. The quartet waits for some commitment from Doha that it is willing to tread a more constructive path.
Then, on Monday, Adel Al Jubeir, Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister, appeared to anticipate Doha’s next move when he said: “Qatar talks about everything, except for halting terror funding... and interfering in other countries’ internal affairs.”
And, sure enough, Qatar has been talking again.
As The National reported, Qatar has filed a complaint at the World Trade Organisation to challenge the sanctions imposed by members of the quartet. Instead of seeking out its neighbours, Doha has sought to put a regional dispute on the international stage. Instead of addressing the issue of funding terrorism and extremism, Qatar has sought to cloud these matters under the fog of a supposed trade dispute. Instead of starting constructive negotiations, Ali Alwaleed Al Thani, the director of Qatar’s WTO office, has vaguely called for “more information on these measures, the legality of these measures.”
Previously, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Qatar’s foreign minister, had suggested that the UN was the “right place” to seek a solution and review “possible options”. But the UN of course was the wrong forum to debate the issues and the UN Security Council rejected Doha’s efforts to involve it. The sanctions are not predicated on the virtues of free trade so the WTO is also the wrong forum.
Far too many false flags continue to flutter all over Doha. It is time for them to be stood down. It is also time for Qatar to stop turning away from the region and start talking to the Gulf. All the solutions can be found here.
The%20specs
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THE BIO:
Sabri Razouk, 74
Athlete and fitness trainer
Married, father of six
Favourite exercise: Bench press
Must-eat weekly meal: Steak with beans, carrots, broccoli, crust and corn
Power drink: A glass of yoghurt
Role model: Any good man
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
8 UAE companies helping families reduce their carbon footprint
Greenheart Organic Farms
This Dubai company was one of the country’s first organic farms, set up in 2012, and it now delivers a wide array of fruits and vegetables grown regionally or in the UAE, as well as other grocery items, to both Dubai and Abu Dhabi doorsteps.
www.greenheartuae.com
Modibodi
Founded in Australia, Modibodi is now in the UAE with waste-free, reusable underwear that eliminates the litter created by a woman’s monthly cycle, which adds up to approximately 136kgs of sanitary waste over a lifetime.
www.modibodi.ae
The Good Karma Co
From brushes made of plant fibres to eco-friendly storage solutions, this company has planet-friendly alternatives to almost everything we need, including tin foil and toothbrushes.
www.instagram.com/thegoodkarmaco
Re:told
One Dubai boutique, Re:told, is taking second-hand garments and selling them on at a fraction of the price, helping to cut back on the hundreds of thousands of tonnes of clothes thrown into landfills each year.
www.shopretold.com
Lush
Lush provides products such as shampoo and conditioner as package-free bars with reusable tins to store.
www.mena.lush.com
Bubble Bro
Offering filtered, still and sparkling water on tap, Bubble Bro is attempting to ensure we don’t produce plastic or glass waste. Founded in 2017 by Adel Abu-Aysha, the company is on track to exceeding its target of saving one million bottles by the end of the year.
www.bubble-bro.com
Coethical
This company offers refillable, eco-friendly home cleaning and hygiene products that are all biodegradable, free of chemicals and certifiably not tested on animals.
www.instagram.com/coethical
Eggs & Soldiers
This bricks-and-mortar shop and e-store, founded by a Dubai mum-of-four, is the place to go for all manner of family products – from reusable cloth diapers to organic skincare and sustainable toys.
www.eggsnsoldiers.com
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Analysis
Members of Syria's Alawite minority community face threat in their heartland after one of the deadliest days in country’s recent history. Read more
more from Janine di Giovanni
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Company%20Profile
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Breast cancer in men: the facts
1) Breast cancer is men is rare but can develop rapidly. It usually occurs in those over the ages of 60, but can occasionally affect younger men.
2) Symptoms can include a lump, discharge, swollen glands or a rash.
3) People with a history of cancer in the family can be more susceptible.
4) Treatments include surgery and chemotherapy but early diagnosis is the key.
5) Anyone concerned is urged to contact their doctor
Rock in a Hard Place: Music and Mayhem in the Middle East
Orlando Crowcroft
Zed Books
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre turbo 4-cyl
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Power: 190bhp
Torque: 300Nm
Price: Dh169,900
On sale: now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Cry Macho
Director: Clint Eastwood
Stars: Clint Eastwood, Dwight Yoakam
Rating:**
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
The five pillars of Islam
UAE'S%20YOUNG%20GUNS
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The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
