In recent weeks, Turkey's military base in Qatar became a hot-button issue as several Gulf countries, led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, severed their ties with Doha citing the tiny nation's alleged support for terrorist groups. Just days after a series of economic, diplomatic and humanitarian sanctions were announced, the Turkish Parliament fast-tracked an agreement with Qatar regarding the establishment of a military base outside Doha. Although that bilateral agreement's ratification was considered a sign of Turkey's frustration with the Qatar crisis, this interpretation didn't necessarily reflect the truth.