Qatar has become one of the most prominent unique models in the Arabian Gulf region, combining a rich history with advanced modernity. Despite its limited geographic size, Doha has managed to establish itself as a key player on both regional and international fronts, thanks to its internal stability, intelligent exploitation of its vast economic resources, and its strategic location that enhances its connectivity with global powers. This stature has shone particularly during various regional crises, where the active diplomatic role of Doha has been undeniable, evident in its efforts to resolve conflicts, the latest being during the Israeli war on Gaza. This report presents a strategic assessment of Qatar, reviewing how the country has succeeded in enhancing its role as a reliable mediator and a key player in promoting peace and stability in the region. It highlights how Doha has adopted a distinctive foreign policy that differs from the policies of its neighbors in the Gulf Cooperation Council.
Strategic Positioning:
Strategically, Qatar is located in the heart of the Arabian Gulf and acts as a gateway between East and West. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia, with Gulf waters surrounding it on three sides. Over 60% of the world’s population can reach Qatar within eight hours by plane or five days by sea. The country enjoys a favorable location that allows easy access to regional and international markets, further solidifying its position as a primary hub for trade and transport. Additionally, its proximity to major shipping routes has contributed to its role as a logistical and commercial center in the region, enhancing its relations with neighboring countries, which has made it an influential player in regional politics and economics. Qatar is also home to one of the largest seaports in the Middle East and an international aviation hub, thanks to Hamad International Airport, which was awarded the title of Best Airport in the World for 2024 by Skytrax. Qatar Airways and Qatar Cargo have been recognized globally as the best airline for seven consecutive years. The country is also considered the safest in the world according to Numbeo’s 2022 rankings and holds the top position in the Middle East and North Africa in the Global Peace Index (GPI).
All these factors have made Qatar a country of great strategic importance in the region and granted it the ability to influence security, energy, and economic issues.
Economic Landscape:
Economically, Qatar ranks third globally in terms of economic size, with a GDP of 177.3 billion Qatari riyals (48.7 billion USD) last year. The per capita GDP in Qatar was 82,000 USD in 2023, making it one of the wealthiest nations in the world. Natural gas and oil are the main sources of government revenue and the cornerstone of the Qatari economy, with Doha possessing reserves that account for between 10% and 14% of global gas reserves. It also has one of the world’s largest gas fields and confirmed oil reserves estimated at 25,244 million barrels, placing it thirteenth globally among oil-producing countries. These reserves and the country’s future vision reflect a stable policy that contributes to supporting overall economic stability and financing efforts for economic transformation in accordance with Qatar National Vision 2030.
To reduce reliance on oil and gas revenues, the Qatar Investment Authority was established in 2005 to invest the Qatari sovereign wealth fund, becoming one of the largest sovereign funds worldwide, with massive investments in the United States, Europe, China, and elsewhere. By the end of the first half of 2023, its financial assets had reached 475 billion USD.
National Vision 2030:
Politically, Qatar’s political system is an emirate, founded on the principle of separation of powers with coordination among them. The Emir and the Crown Prince lead the executive authority, supported by the Council of Ministers, in accordance with the country’s constitution. The legislative authority is represented by the Shura Council, which is tasked with drafting laws, approving the general budget, and monitoring executive performance. The council consists of 45 members, of whom 30 are elected through direct secret ballot and 15 are appointed by the Emir. The judicial authority (Supreme Judicial Council) is granted complete independence from other authorities by the constitution and is solely responsible for justice, with Article 131 prohibiting any interference from any party in the proceedings of cases or the course of justice.
International Relations:
On an international scale, Qatar wields significant influence due to its economic strength and adopts an active diplomatic approach, striving to mediate in regional disputes. It enjoys good relations with major powers such as the United States and Russia and invests heavily in global projects, cementing its status as a key supporter of the global economy. Additionally, hosting prominent sporting and cultural events, such as the recent World Cup held in 2022, has helped enhance its international popularity. Furthermore, its investments in education and culture through institutions like Qatar Foundation have strengthened its role as a prominent cultural center in the region and rendered its international position balanced between economic power and effective diplomacy.
Qatari Foreign Policy:
Qatar’s foreign policy displays differences rather than conflicts with other Gulf Cooperation Council countries in several aspects, which can be summarized as follows:
Independence in Decision-Making: Historically, since gaining independence in 1971, Qatar has pursued a foreign policy based on the freedom of decision. This was evident when it chose to develop the liquefied natural gas industry independently of Saudi Arabia, granting it economic flexibility that bolstered its political strength. Moreover, its international relations reflect this independence; while some Gulf nations heavily rely on the United States for security assurances, and while Qatar maintains strong ties with Washington through hosting the Al-Udeid military base, it simultaneously expanded its partnerships to include other Western powers like France and Russia, as well as unconventional neighboring countries such as Iran and Turkey. This diversity in its network of relations has helped Qatar avoid excessive entanglement in regional conflicts and maintain its political maneuverability.
Qatar-Iran Relations: Geographically, Qatar and Iran are close, sharing maritime boundaries in the Arabian Gulf and jointly owning the North Dome/South Pars gas field, the largest natural gas reserve globally. This proximity necessitated a pragmatic policy from Qatar towards Iran, despite pressures from other Gulf countries and the United States to isolate Tehran. Doha has maintained relations with Iran during times when other countries disagreed with proximity. Conversely, the relationship between Qatar and Iran is based on a principle of balance; despite differences over many regional issues, such as the Syrian conflict or Iran’s support for Hezbollah, Qatar continues to maintain open and balanced relations through flexible diplomacy aimed at dialogue rather than confrontation. This reflects a different stance from the more hardline Saudi and Emirati approaches towards Tehran over the decades, even amid recent Saudi-Iranian rapprochement.
Relations with Turkey: Following the Arab Spring revolutions and the rise of the Muslim Brotherhood, some Arab nations froze their relations with Turkey, accusing it of interfering in their internal affairs. However, Qatar maintained a balanced approach with Turkey, which provided military assistance during the 2017 blockade crisis by sending forces to a military base in Doha, sending a clear message to the blockading countries that Doha was not isolated militarily and had robust support in the region. Additionally, economic ties between the two countries have significantly strengthened due to agreements covering various fields such as infrastructure, energy, and defense industries. Qatar has now become a significant source of Turkish investments, notably enhancing the growing economic partnership between the two.
Diplomatic Mediation (The Most Prominent Role): Amid increasing international disputes and geopolitical tensions globally, Qatar has emerged as a leading diplomatic authority in resolving conflicts and settling international disputes, placing Doha among the key players at both regional and international levels. It has effectively used preventive diplomacy and mediation as effective tools to help address numerous crises.
The announcement regarding the US-Iran agreement related to the exchange of prisoners and the release of 6 billion dollars of frozen Iranian funds for humanitarian purposes highlighted Qatar’s pivotal role in mediating between Tehran and Washington, further adding to its record of diplomatic successes. This agreement is part of Qatar’s efforts to ease tensions worldwide. For over 15 years, the country has played the role of mediator in dozens of regional and international issues, resulting in many positive outcomes and the resolution of various crises in the region. Notable achievements include its intervention in 2008 to end the political crisis in Lebanon, resulting in an agreement reached through its mediation after 18 months of tension. In 2015, Doha successfully mediated between the Tibbu and Tuareg tribes in Libya, and it facilitated the release of Djiboutian prisoners held in Eritrea through negotiations between the two sides.
Qatar’s influence has not been limited to Arab affairs; it has also extended its support and mediation efforts in African disputes, such as the Darfur crisis in Sudan and the conflict in the Central African Republic. Furthermore, it successfully brokered a peace agreement between Djibouti and Eritrea in March 2011 to resolve their border conflict.
In February 2020, the world witnessed the signing of the historic peace agreement between the United States and the Taliban in Afghanistan, where Qatar acted as a mediator in direct talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban, working diligently to facilitate access to sustainable peace in the country and achieving considerable progress through these efforts. Additionally, in 2021, Qatar facilitated the resumption of diplomatic relations between Somalia and Kenya to promote international peace and stability. It also played a mediating role within Somalia to resolve political disputes related to elections through dialogue and broad consensus with various stakeholders.
Moreover, during the current period, Doha has sought to mediate between Palestinian factions and Israel to defuse the crisis, aiming to reach an agreement on a ceasefire from both sides. Qatar has hosted several rounds of negotiations between Hamas and Israel and utilized its strong relationships with global powers like the United States and Turkey, alongside prominent regional countries like Egypt, to bolster its position on Palestinian issues, especially through forming alliances that contribute to pressuring Israel to halt military operations.
Humanitarian Role and Development Support:
Qatar is considered one of the largest donors for rebuilding Gaza since the conflict began, providing extensive humanitarian and developmental aid to Palestinians, thereby becoming a key player in the Palestinian cause and gaining additional influence within the Arab-Israeli conflict. Qatar’s humanitarian role and development support are not recent; the country has also provided substantial aid during the crises in Syria and Yemen by offering food, shelter, and financing international relief projects. These efforts have enhanced Qatar’s reputation as a supporter of peoples affected by crises. Additionally, it manages several development funds focusing on supporting education and development in various regions, including Africa and Asia, all contributing to improving its global image and enhancing its relations with developing countries.
Soft Power and Media:
The Influence of Al Jazeera as a Diplomatic Tool: Established in 1996, Al Jazeera has emerged as one of the most prominent media outlets not only in the Arab world but also globally. It stands out from most other regional media due to its critical coverage of Arab regimes, granting it an independent status. This has provided Qatar with significant influence, but it has also caused tensions with some neighboring countries that accused the channel of supporting revolutions and protests within their territories.
Cultural and Sporting Investment: In addition to media, Qatar contributes significantly to enhancing its soft power through investments in cultural and sporting activities, such as hosting the 2022 World Cup and various global sporting events. These initiatives help improve the country’s image as modern and open, forming part of Doha’s strategy to extend its influence beyond its borders and achieve political gains, including keeping its name prominently on the global stage and influencing decision-making circles through these investments, as a legitimate objective pursued by many countries worldwide.
Conclusion:
The success of Qatar reflects its prominent role on the international stage, aligned with its strategic position and stable economy. Its independent foreign policies and active diplomacy distinguish it from other Gulf countries, enhancing its status as a vital mediator in regional and international crises. Its pivotal role in resolving numerous disputes, particularly concerning the Palestinian crisis and the Gaza war, has bolstered its reputation as a country striving for peace and stability. This strategy, which combines economic strength with diplomatic wisdom, indicates that Qatar is prepared to continue as a key player in the future, despite challenges, thereby reshaping the political and diplomatic landscape in the region.
