Country emerges resolute, largely unscathed

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES » Qataris awoke to a surprise blockade and boycott by Gulf Arab neighbors 3 ½ years ago, and this week were jolted again by the sudden announcement that it was all over. The period in between was bitter, with mud-slinging by both sides and viscous media blitzes, social media trolling, expensive lobbying efforts in Washington, and allegations of hacks and leaks. Criticism of the boycott was a criminal offense in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt as the four sought to punish Qatar. Qatar’s resolve in the face of the assault showed how little the campaign achieved as the small, but influential U.S. ally holds firmwith its ties to Turkey, Iran and Islamists.