Qatar is imperfect, but our best hope

WHICH side should we support in the terrifying Middle East standoff between Saudi Arabia and the tiny Gulf State of Qatar, which has been isolated in recent days by several powerful neighbours? Many observers wish a plague on both their houses. But I strongly disagree with them. For all of its faults — and it stands accused by some of sponsoring terrorism — Qatar is the best hope for freedom and democracy in the Persian Gulf. Saudi Arabia and its allies demand that Qatar shut down its TV station, Al Jazeera, which has done such courageous work in shining a light on events in the Muslim world over the past 15 years. This is authoritarian dictatorship. Anybody who loves Press freedom has no choice but to support Qatar in this ugly conflict. And how shaming that Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, himself a former journalist of some repute, should refuse to take sides.