Until the Gulf crisis in 2017, a common Gulf state identity was still conceivable. However, the embargo against Qatar significantly shifted the perception of threat in the region. Qatar then developed a more inclusive understanding of society, which manifested itself in the term ‘Baladna’ (‘our country’). ‘Baladna’ became a symbol of national cohesion and also designated a new national brand that reduced dependence on imports. Today, ‘Baladna’ symbolises Qatar's self-assertion and external unity.
