Qatar's foreign policy between realism and idiosyncrasy. (c2014)

Abstract

Qatar‘s foreign policy has received increasing attention due to the small monarchy‘s huge resources, and the activism of its main decision-takers: Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa and Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem. Before the Arab Spring Qatar diversified its power resources and adopted a multi-issue perspective in addressing threats to its economic and political security. After the Arab Spring Qatar found its foreign policy confined to a single-issue in addressing the popular uprisings that broke out in the Middle East. This thesis argues that the change in Qatar‘s foreign policy after the Arab Spring was not an abrupt shift from its zero problem policy in the region. Qatar pursued a consistent policy towards the affairs of the region through its different investments and mediation efforts. Qatar‘s foreign policy can only be explained through combining realism and the unique idiosyncratic ambitions of its ruler.