Saudi Arabia's Resistance to US Pressure to Resolve Dispute with Qatar

Informed sources say that despite US pressures following the murder of Jamal Khashoggi to end the Yemen war, Saudi Arabia continues to resist US demands to resolve its dispute with Qatar. The murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi on October 2 at the country's consulate in Istanbul sparked global outrage, severely damaging the reputation of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and the country may even face sanctions. Four informed sources told Reuters that Washington believes it has significant influence over the Saudi government and aims to use this influence to improve Riyadh's weakened position. The US's goal is to unite Gulf countries against Iran by ending the Yemen war and resolving the dispute with Qatar. Under pressure from the US and the UK to end the Yemen war by the end of this month, the Saudi-led military coalition halted its attacks on Houthi rebel positions in the port city of Hodeidah starting Thursday. Continuing its pressure on Saudi Arabia, the US sanctioned 17 Saudi officials for their involvement in Khashoggi's murder on Thursday. Simultaneously, several members of the Senate introduced a draft that, if approved, would suspend arms sales to Saudi Arabia due to the Yemen war and Khashoggi's murder. Saudi officials have not yet responded to this matter. A US State Department spokesperson stated that the US has always sought to resolve the dispute with Qatar and end the war in Yemen. He added, 'We will continue our efforts and negotiations with our allies in the region, including Saudi Arabia. The unity of Gulf countries is vital to counter Iran's harmful influence, combat terrorism, and ensure a stable future for the region.' Reuters adds that from the US perspective, Saudi Arabia plays a crucial role in countering Iran and uniting Gulf countries, and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visited Riyadh just days after Khashoggi's murder. However, the US views the Yemen war as a significant factor in regional instability. Saudi Arabia and its main ally, the United Arab Emirates, may also be inclined to exit this war due to its heavy costs and the deadlock it has reached. Since Khashoggi's murder, the US government has increased its efforts to change Riyadh's policy towards Qatar. In June 2017, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt severed trade relations with Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorism and Iran. Qatar has consistently denied these accusations. An informed source regarding diplomatic efforts in Washington said, 'The US government wants to take this opportunity to resolve the dispute with Qatar.' This source added that the US aims to resolve the Qatar crisis before the implementation of the second wave of sanctions against Iran in mid-November to restore unity among Gulf countries. Western officials hope that Mohammed bin Salman's remarks at the Riyadh investment summit regarding Qatar's economic power are a sign of Riyadh's willingness to resolve the dispute with Doha. However, diplomats and experts in the Gulf region say that Saudi Arabia and its allies have yet to take any concrete actions to resolve the dispute with Qatar.