Speaking on CNBC, MEI Research Fellow Ameem Lutfi, a self-proclaimed optimist, says that there are positive indications that the Qatar blockade may be removed, though the specific details on the parties involved have yet to be finalised. This comes at a time when the US is gradually becoming more passive in the region, forcing the states to resolve issues themselves through bilateral and multilateral discussions. Watch the full interview here.

Image caption: Qatar Airways airliner. Photo: Anna Zvereva, shared on Flickr.