Why the EU lacks a position on the Middle East

Qatar responded to the ultimatum imposed by other Gulf countries, as the tensions in the region keep escalating. While the US is very active, the EU seems to lack the ability to have a coherent position on these developments. Why?

This report shows how key European political actors have different preferences for their coalition partners in the Middle East, which leads to the EU as a whole having an ambiguous response when these regional crises occur.

On June 5th 2017, Gulf countries cut their diplomatic ties with Qatar and imposed an economic and political embargo on the country. Qatar requested an extension of the deadline to answer the demands of the ad-hoc opposing coalition.

These events continue to prove the region’s dynamism and provide some evidence of the fragile balance between the different local powers. Which role is the EU playing in this key strategic area?

Although there are signals of increased foreign policy coordination of EU’s Member States, the national governments still have their own strategic alliances and priorities in this particularly troubled region.

This undermines the influence of the EU as a whole, which, despite its geographical proximity, is being sidelined by powers such as Russia and the US. – More here (Votewatch Blog)

Siehe auch “Neue Golfkrise: EUropa schaut zu”