DUBAI, United Arab Emirates _ The four nations who cut diplomatic and trade links with Qatar last month will find it difficult to significantly increase the stakes for the world's largest gas exporter without hurting their own economies.
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt have promised additional punitive measures on Qatar after it rejected their 13 demands for ending the standoff last week. They accuse it of supporting terrorism, meddling in their internal affairs and cozying up to their rival Iran _ all charges that Qatar has denied. Mediation efforts led by Kuwait have failed to prevent the dispute dragging into a second month.
Here are some of the options that Saudi-led alliance can pursue and the effect on both sides.
