Doha is turning into a center stage of modern diplomacy amid its influential role as a powerful mediator in long-sanding global conflicts. The tiny country on the war-torn arab land has a far-reaching impact on the world by bringing aggressive parties to the table talk, shaping the world’s political landscape. Qatar, a powerful arab state fueled by a 1.7% annual economic growth rate with plenty of natural gas and LNG resources, has dominated the diplomatic realm with its remarkable diplomatic role in the world. Its Vibrant leadership orchestrated by the visionary Emir, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, has played a pivotal role in brokering peace deals among the long-standing arch rivals, Afghan Taliban and USA, and Hamas and Isreal.
To understand how this minuscule state has such influence that its oil-rich giant neighbors couldn’t, a look at its foreign policy history is necessary. Since the 1990s, Qatar has developed its foreign policy on three main lines: it has expanded its gas production and supplies to the maximum number of countries possible, developed and maintained a romantic marriage with the global leader the USA, and invested in its soft power, the Al-Jazeera media network and the recent FIFA world cup are clear examples. Qatar’s fate changed in 1995 when Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa became Emir. Powered with a vision and ambition, he developed cordial relations with the USA while investing heavily in LNG, which later poured billions of dollars into the national economy. Building a mammoth economy and reaching global powers, Qatar’s leadership soon became influential on the global stage. Due to powerful diplomatic channels, Qatar has global importance as Germany and other European powers are putting Qatar on the top of the list for their gas and LNG imports.
Qatar skillfully plays both sides of the wicket, maintaining beneficial relations with regional states like Iran and Turkey and International powers like the USA, EU, and China. In this competing realm, it has developed itself as a reliable broker with some remarkable peace deals in its name. A peace deal between the Afghan Taliban and the USA, and recent developments between Hamas and Israel are among the notable achievements of Qatar.
On 29 February 2021, a milestone was reached between the longstanding rivals Afghan Taliban and the USA who signed a peace deal in Doha, Qatar. Qatar being a host and most active partner in the deal played a remarkable and impartial role. During his interview with Reuters, Mike Pompeo, Ex-US secretary of state, said “ Qatar has been an enormously important partner to get us to this very moment. When we have had hiccups on the road they have helped us smooth them out”. This deal strengthened the relationship between the US and Qatar as both states were on shady lines due to Qatar’s support of the Middle East Islamist faction.
Qatar is quite an active player in regional politics. It maintains good relations with Iran, unlike the other Arab countries. Qatar is host to the Houhtis while maintaining a good relationship with the Iraqi government. Moreover, it hosts the Saddam Hussein family in Doha. Due to its strengthened security system, it was a safe haven for the Late Hamas Leader Ismail Hanniyeh, who was recently assassinated in Iran by Israeli forces. It won’t be wrong to say that Qatar is playing a heroic role in the entangled Middle Eastern politics.
The biggest warring factions of the long-standing war, Israel and Hamas reached a temporary peace deal over seize fire in Doha. The 15-month devastating war between the two came to a temporary end on 19 January with the role of Qatar, the United States, and Egypt. It is an important milestone in the recent time as Israel’s reigns were out of control during this period. Qatar’s neutral position and strong diplomatic role played a pivotal role in this deal.
Experts hold varying opinions on Qatar’s ability to broker peace deals. Among many opinions, one stood in common. Qatar’s neutral role in regional politics and most importantly its links with every faction of the region whether its militant groups like Taliban, and Houthies, or states like the US, Afghanistan, Turkey, Israel, and Iran, Qatar serves a bunch of benefits to all of them. Alone the USA has the largest military base in the region with more than 100,000 troops on the Qatari land. With so many incentives to offer, Qatar is a half-relaible-half-beneficial state for all.
Meditation in the shadows of mounting pressure
Despite its persistent positive efforts, the path to the peace deal is characterized by numerous challenges. The United States’ partial role and open support of Israel despite atrocities is a bigger challenge to surpass. On the other hand, It has put pressure on Qatar of its close relationship with Hamas leadership. Qatar has faced a diplomatic backdrop despite its highly impartial role in the Hamas-Israel seize-fire deal. According to a CNN report, 63 democrats and 50 republicans asserted that the US must exert pressure on Qatar to detach itself from Hamas while banning Hamas leadership in its country. Standing firm to its diplomatic principles, Qatar’s grit is admirable.
Final Words
Qatar has truly become a modern state with a balancing and powerful Foreign policy approach. Standing tall on the wealth of global trade of Gas and LNG, Qatar keeps on reaching for the longer shorts to stay active on the field. The combo of Visionary leadership and sustainable resources has uplifted the small arab country to the heights of Global success. From Global leaders like the USA to the militant factions in the region, everyone looks at Doha for bringing the warring factions to the table. With this approach, Qatar keeps on climbing on the global stage to become a powerful global mediator and nip the regional and international conflicts in the bud.
The author, The Writer Zohaib is a professional article writer having a degree of International Relations from International Islamic University, Islamabad.
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