GCC still struggling to get its act together

The decision by Bahrain and the UAE to withdraw from the World Handball Championship 2015, due to begin in Qatar on 15 January, appears to be the latest fit of pique in the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) spat that has been festering since Bahrain, the UAE and Saudi Arabia withdrew their ambassadors from Doha in March. No reason was given for the decision, but it seems likely to be political, given the continued animosity being directed towards Doha, particularly from the UAE.