The Shifting Geopolitical Dynamics in the Middle East: Qatar's Strategic Moment

• Monshipouri, Mahmood ^[2] ; Motameni, Ahmad ^[1]
  1. [1] California State University, Northridge

     California State University, Northridge

     Estados Unidos

     
  2. [2] San Francisco State University and University of California, Berkeley
• Localización: Maghreb review: Majallat al-Maghrib, ISSN 0309-457X, Vol. 49, Nº. 2, 2024, págs. 135-159
• Idioma: inglés
• Enlaces
  • Texto completo
• Resumen

  • Accustomed to making tough strategic choices, Qatari leaders find themselves in the middle of yet another strategic moment, as the region has seen a new round of Israel–Hamas conflict following Hamas's attacks on Israel on 7 October 2023. As a close US ally, as well as home to senior Hamas leaders in exile, such as Ismail Haniyeh and Khalid Mashaal, Qatar is best positioned both to act as leverage on Hamas and to play a mediating role with Israel with regard to the release of hostages [and detainees] held in both Gaza and Israel. At the regional level, the real question swirling around Doha is: will Qatar explore further strategic cooperation with Beijing to the detriment of its extensive security ties with Washington in the face of dormant or dwindling US economic and political power in the Middle East and North Africa? The answer to this question is a resounding 'No'. Taking a two-track approach, Qatar continues to seek an equilibrium between the future of its economy, which is largely oriented towards China, and the country's security and stability, which is rooted upon its strategic dependence on the US. This essay's key takeaway is that contrary to the prevailing view that the US–Qatari relationship is likely to encounter setbacks, this strategic partnership has indeed been strengthened and will continue to be so for the foreseeable future.