http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2013\02\10\story_10-2-2013_pg3_6
Sunday, February 10, 2013
VIEW : The Middle East’s new power on the rise — Atif Shamim Syed
The Arab Spring saw a visible shift in Qatar’s foreign policy from a mainly
cautious role to a more active participation in regional affairs
Last year in October, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar,
visited the Gaza Strip where he was greeted by enthusiastic Gazans holding
placards with his pictures on them. It was the first time an Arab head of state
visited the coastal enclave since the ruling Hamas took it over after violent
wrangling with Fatah. The crowd’s fervour was bolstered by the emir’s
announcement of making an investment of $ 400 million in the impoverished
Strip.
Qatar — a peninsula in the Persian Gulf — is the world’s richest country, with
an estimated population of less than two million, the bulk of which consists of
foreign expatriates. To the south, it shares a border with the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia while the rest of the country is surrounded by the Persian Gulf. It is
separated from the state of Bahrain by a strait.
The immense wealth of this tiny nation is built around exports of liquefied
natural gas (LNG), oil and related products. The country is also one of the
leading buyers of American products.
Facilitated by a highly stretchable cash flow, and the Arab world’s most
popular TV channel, Qatar has transformed itself from an obscure Arab nation
into a major player in regional as well as international politics. The Emir of
Qatar is now regarded as the foremost diplomat in the Middle East, and his
country as a place where important decisions are made.
The main reasons for Qatar’s phenomenal resilience are its relatively small
size, and its ability to make quick decisions allowing it to bypass other
bigger players where decision-making is a gruelling process. By virtue of its
modest size, Qatar is not perceived as a threat, which makes it easier for the
Emir to project himself as a fair broker wherever conflicts arise. However, his
immense economic resources guarantee that the Emir has considerable room for
behind the scenes manoeuvring because of his privileged position. Moreover, a
meticulously crafted vision of an open, liberal and progressive society assures
continued western support for the country.
The diminishing role of conventional Arab powers has created a vacuum that
allowed Qatar to enhance its own role in regional politics, although the Arab
Spring is responsible for catapulting Qatar to the world’s centre-stage.
Nonetheless, it was actively involved in Arab affairs long before the first
revolutionaries took to the streets of Tunisia. Over the years, it has offered
support to Hezbollah and Hamas, and fostered relations with Iran and even
Israel. It hosts the American military command for the Middle East (CENTCOM) as
well as a US airbase. Qatar has played an important role in mediating conflicts
in several parts of the world including Lebanon, Yemen, Sudan and Afghanistan.
The Arab Spring saw a visible shift in Qatar’s foreign policy from a mainly
cautious role to a more active participation in regional affairs. Its
television channel — Al Jazeera — played an indirect but significant role in
mobilising the Arab masses. Qatar also facilitated military intervention in
Libya, an act that clearly displayed that it was ready to pursue a more
vigorous foreign policy after years of playing it safe.
Qatar’s involvement in Libya was much more than playing a pivotal role in
convincing the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Arab League to seek
military action. It not only took part in establishing a no-fly zone but also
assisted the National Transitional Council (NTC) in selling oil. Besides, it
poured million of dollars in aid to the embattled country. To top it all, it
was later disclosed that Qatar had also dispatched its ground forces to Libya
during the decisive days of the conflict.
When the rebellion started in Syria, Qatar was the first Arab nation to sever
diplomatic ties with the country, whereas Al Jazeera provided extensive
coverage of the conflict to the Arab world and beyond.
Qatar has invested billions of dollars in Europe, covering almost every sector
from real estate to sports and media. During President Sarkozy’s term in
office, Qatar cultivated ties with France that developed into a close
relationship with both countries cooperating on the economic and military
fronts. The French connection has provided Qatar with a first grade diplomatic
ally as well as a source of diversification from total reliance on the US.
The Palestinian issue is a matter that must be tackled by every Arab leader
aspiring to be an important player in the region. When the Hamas leader Khalid
Mashaal left Syria in the midst of mounting violence, Qatar was more than happy
to provide him residence and Sheikh Hammad Bin Khalifa’s landmark visit to Gaza
last year was, in fact, the arrival of a dynamic new leader on the Arab horizon.
So, this brings us to the eventual query. What are the Emir’s ultimate
objectives? Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani was born in January 1952,
received his early education in Qatar and then went to the Sandhurst Military
Academy in the UK, from where he graduated in 1971. He joined the Qatari armed
forces as a Lieutenant Colonel and later became a Major General and the
Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. In June 1995, he became the Emir of
Qatar after deposing his father. He was crowned in June 2000.
The principal political inspiration of the Emir, like the rest of the Persian
Gulf rulers who belong to almost the same age group, is Gamal Abdel Nasser, who
gave them a sense of worthiness and whose Arab nationalism they embraced while
discarding his socialist ideas. It is a deeply rooted yearning to revive the
Arab identity and its traditions that drive the Emir.
A few western commentators believe that Qatar wants to conquer the world.
However, in order to become a world power, a country needs much more than an
enormous cash reserve and a powerful news channel. Qatar is now firmly
established as a small power in the world arena. Perhaps this is what the Emir
always wanted.
The writer is an investment banker and a freelance columnist for various
publications. He can be reached at [email protected]
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