The growing rift between two Gulf powers will be felt across the Middle East and the Horn of Africa The growing rift between two Gulf powers will be felt across the Middle East and the Horn of Africa I n 2017, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates spearheaded a blockade of Qatar , disrupting trade, stability and lives in the region. Their de facto leaders – the Saudi crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, and Abu Dhabi’s then crown prince, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, now president of the UAE –