Qatar The Ambitions of a Rich Small Nation Micol Briziobello - Misna

However, what has brought them to the helm are some
notable developments: the reconciliation (at least in
appearance) of the Emir al-Thani with the Saudi monarchy;
the fall of Egypt’s powerful ex-president Hosni Mubarak,
and Jordan’s decreased role, due to King Abdallah’s concerns
about the threat on his own power by the wave of Arab
protests and the pressure exerted by the crisis (now, a civil
war) in the bordering Syria and the unresolved Palestine
issue.
The improving of relations with Saudi Arabia has convinced
Emir al-Thani to fully abandon his old allies in Hezbollah
and Syria so as to become part of America’s inner circle, thus
completing its objective of gaining closer ties with
Washington, a process started in the past with the opening
of important bases and American military command centres
on Qatari territory.
Qatar has also replaced Egypt as one of the most influential
countries in the Arab League, taking advantage of
Mubarak’s exit from the political scene and because of this
has taken the opportunity offered through less tense
relations with the Saudis to gain more clout at the summits
of the Council for Gulf Co-operation, having worked solidly
over the last two years to open up policies aimed at
containing Iran’s influence in the region.
In fact, in recent months, Qatar has been fundamental in
approving the Saudi’s armed intervention in helping
Bahrain’s King, Hamad Khalifa, placed under pressure by
his population’s demands for democratic reforms and for