Almost five months into the Gulf crisis, that pits the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Bahrain against Qatar, the issue of food security has taken on a new dimension. Understood as “a situation that exists when all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life,” food security is not only gaining importance in discussions of the lack of food due to poverty. It has, particularly with the crisis in the Gulf, also increasingly become relevant in the context of international diplomatic relations and as a pillar of national security The UAE and Saudi Arabia would deny that they are attempting to starve Qatar into submission with their diplomatic and economic boycott that has forced Qatar to seek alternative food suppliers and alternative air and sea shipment routes. Yet, de facto, their strategy is to drive the cost of Qatari food and other imports up to the point that the wealthy Gulf state no longer can afford the more expensive imports. In the process, the boycott has redefined the national security aspects…
