Qatar Mediation: From Soft Diplomacy to Foreign Policy

Abstract

Mediation from soft diplomacy to foreign policy In this chapter we will explore how Qatar gained its current title as a “trusted partner” through mediation. Running in the 2nd decade of its enriched journey, where it was started from north of Yemen mountains passing by Lebanon, Sudan, Djibouti, Palestine until the most recent mediation between Taliban and Afghani government. There are many examples for Qatar mediation roles, it happened where Qatar mediated between countries and other actors, in partnership with other allies and global, continental, regional, and sub regional organizations. As it’s a principle in Qatar foreign policy to comply diplomatic efforts with UN principles and international law. On the other hand, tools and potentials that made Qatar recognition as a successful mediator are a complexity of various things such, widely strong political connections, huge financial resources, reliability and impartiality. Involving in mediation for Qatar wasn’t easy task, as its always stuffed with unpredicted challenges coming from several geopolitical factors along with other variations. We will demonstrate some of these challenges and how it affects the whole processes and initiatives. Also, Impartiality principle sometimes leads to dilemmas where it requires tremendous efforts and resources to solve issues and bring parties back to negotiations, this includes but not limited to, shuttling diplomacy, huge financial resources, multilateral diplomacy and sometimes coaching and trainings for some parties to narrow the differences and pave the way for middle ground. Mediation in Qatar case made fruit of soft diplomacy and created a high profile for the small gulf country, however this has created some negative competition from some neighbors who is ready to destroy any achievement no matter what is the lost just to undermine the efforts been made. And this been the case; honesty, transparency and dignity always played a key role to contain tensions. Spoilers repeatedly showing up regardless their goals, mostly its conflict of interests is the driver behind those, but sometimes it’s just change resistance and fear of future specially with elites lived long time in conflict. The theoretical model of Qatar mediation strategy, is yet to be identified by scholars and all what has been written “personally” is descriptive reports with some analysis built on relative articles and publications. n conclusion although that many has described Qatar mediation as branding the name of the country to be present on the intl. system map and others said the cause is being granted this role by super powers to implement policies in the region, there are deeper facts than what been stated. The strategic depth of Qatar is quite limited toward gulf both edges which has KSA on one side and Iran on the other. This critical geopolitical position dictates a special foreign policy which secure the tiny state from two big neighbors and other possible threats. Which make mediation part of protective measures that strengthen Qatar international ties and likely help preventing any possible threat like what happened 5th of June (A report appeared in the Foreign Policy Magazine has again exposed designs of Saudi Arabia to invade Qatar one day after imposition of June 5, 2017 blockade against Qatar by the quartet).