Qatar and the Islamists: The anomaly of Qatar

The article examines the reasons behind Qatar’s multifaceted and hyperactive foreign policy. As a small, prosperous Emirate, Qatar not only funds mega construction projects, makes luxury purchases in various countries, and hosts conferences, dialogues, political refugees and activists, but also portrays itself as a secure harbor for economic investment. Accordingly, the author argues that security, in the middle of a turbulent region, has been the core reason for country`s increasing trans-regional economic, diplomatic, investment, and humanitarian activism. The author further observes that, as a national strategy, Qatar strives to “be useful” to international community by which it may protect itself as a secure state, uphold its transition to a post-hydrocarbon economy, and serve as a key mediator between the Muslim world and the West. The paper concludes that Qatar`s strategy for dealing with political Islam (considering it as a publicly backed policy option and sustaining constructive ties with the Muslim world) indispensably leaves the country open to the influences of destabilization and sectarianism of the region

Authors: Michael Stephens
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