The Arab Gulf states have long been a far cry from the battered and hardened Levant; their oil-fuelled enrichment and inheritance of global commerce have strengthened the perception that they are almost untouched by the troubles of the surrounding region.

When Israel struck Qatar’s capital Doha in September, therefore, it surprised many around the globe, but reminded all of the reality that even the Gulf states are not immune to Israel’s expansionist operations, despite their peripheral distance from the occupation and their roles as mediators.

The attack revealed not only the fragility of illusions of safety, but also significantly brought into question the position of Gulf states and other US allies as protected players under American military hegemony. Historic security agreements between Doha and Washington did not prevent the Israelis from firing at Qatar, nor did the literal presence of the Al-Udeid US air base – paid for and upkept largely by the Qataris themselves.

Needless to say, the entire ordeal left Qatar’s neighbours and fellow GCC states understandably concerned about the very real possibility that it could have been them who were struck by Tel Aviv, and that such a potential outcome is still forever on the table.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated as much when, after confirming the Doha attack “was a wholly independent Israeli operation” and that it “takes full responsibility”, he also refused to rule out further strikes on Hamas leaders and insisted they would be hit “wherever they are”.

The Israeli attack and the potential that the US had prior knowledge – and possibly even approval – of it has not only sparked a diplomatic crisis, but also a defence crisis and a deeply strategic one. A commonly-felt question throughout the Gulf region now is how could they trust the US and its defence guarantees if they, as major American allies, cannot feel safe from external attacks in their own backyard, even with a US military presence and equipment within their own territories?

Such a question caused Qatar and its prime minister, according to Axios, to tell the Trump administration that Doha considered the attack an “act of........

© Middle East Monitor