Predictions
- End to Gulf blockade will see rise in cross-border trade and travel, but unresolved foreign policy tensions mean diplomatic ties will remain strained
- Qatari citizens will seek to return to popular destinations, though COVID-19 restrictions will continue to dampen potential for tourism in coming months
- Qatar will continue to pursue independent foreign policy, delaying full normalisation of ties and ensuring potential for future disputes
Event
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) leaders announced an end to the Saudi-led embargo of Qatar on 5 January, signing a joint declaration billed as a “solidarity and stability” deal at the close of the GCC summit in the Saudi city of al-Ula. Washington’s Middle East envoy Jared Kushner flew to Saudi Arabia to attend the signing ceremony.
Falanx Assynt is a global intelligence consultancy and leading provider of geopolitical, strategic and business risk analysis since 2003. Falanx Assynt is part of Falanx Group Ltd (LON:FLX) which, through its subsidiaries, provides cyber defence and intelligence services to blue chip and government clients worldwide.