Gulf Crisis: N Korea Changes The Equation

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Amid diplomatic crisis between Qatar and a rival Saudi-led bloc in West Asia, North Korea has reportedly struck a USD 100 million arms deal with a company based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

As the report resurfaced online last week, the regional political equation took a new turn. According to sources close to the Qatari government, North Korea is playing a different role in the ongoing diplomatic crisis in the Persian Gulf from thousands of miles away. Earlier, both the parties (Qatar and Saudi Arabia and its allies) had accused each other of maintaining an 'illicit' economic relationship with North Korea. They knew that it would be a sensitive issue for the US, which is trying hard to isolate the Communist country.

Soon after the report was published, the UAE challenged its authenticity and blamed regional rival Qatar for having a "dangerous"...