CIAO DATE: 03/2013
February 2013
Norwegian Peacebuilding Resource Centre
Qatar’s foreign policy is largely designed and driven by the emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani. The two countries that figure most prominently in his calculations are the U.S. and Saudi Arabia. He seeks to keep the U.S. as a protector and ally against foreign aggression and prevent the Saudis from resuming their policies of undermining his regime. Qatar has adopted an aggressive policy of mediating disputes throughout the region in order to make itself appear as an important player in Arab politics. It has also effectively developed the Al Jazeera television station in order to project its soft power among Arab publics. On both counts Qatar has been remarkably successful.
Resource link: Qatar's foreign policy [PDF]