The Gulf crisis is a political and economic conflict that has been ongoing since June 2017 between Qatar and a group of Arab countries led by Saudi Arabia. The spelling of "Gulf" is pronounced as [ɡʌlf] in IPA phonetic transcription, with a hard "g" sound followed by a short "u" sound and an "lf" consonant cluster. The spelling of "crisis" is pronounced as [kraɪsɪs], with a "k" sound followed by a long "i" sound and an "s" and "ɪs" ending. Together, the words create a compound noun highlighting a major issue in international relations.
The Gulf crisis refers to a significant and consequential political, governmental, and diplomatic dispute that takes place primarily within the Gulf region, particularly among the countries located along the Arabian Gulf. Typically, this term refers to the ongoing political and diplomatic tensions and conflicts between countries such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, and Egypt on one side, and Qatar on the other. The origins of the Gulf crisis can be traced back to allegations and disputes regarding Qatar's alleged support for terrorism, interference in other countries' internal affairs, and media-related issues. These allegations led to an extensive rupture in diplomatic relations between the involved parties, leading to an economic, political, and social blockade imposed by the allied countries against Qatar.
The Gulf crisis entails a complex web of political, economic, and security issues that have severe implications for the region and, at times, the global arena. It involves multiple dimensions such as economic implications due to the blockade, restrictions on travel and commerce, diplomatic isolation, and efforts by both sides to garner international support. This crisis has significant consequences not only for the involved countries but also for international politics and the stability of the region as a whole. The Gulf crisis is an ongoing issue that has witnessed intermittent negotiations, mediation, and discussions with varying degrees of success, highlighting the complex dynamics and challenges associated with resolving this longstanding dispute.
The word "Gulf crisis" is a compound term composed of the words "Gulf" and "crisis".
1. Gulf: The term "Gulf" originated from the Middle English word "golfe", which came from the Old English word "golf". Both words can be traced back to the Late Latin word "gulphus" and the Greek word "kolpos", meaning "bosom" or "bay". Over time, "gulf" evolved to refer specifically to a large body of water partially surrounded by land, such as the Arabian Gulf or the Gulf of Mexico.
2. Crisis: The term "crisis" has its roots in the ancient Greek word "krisis", which means "decision" or "turning point". It derived from the verb "krinein", meaning "to separate" or "to judge".