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

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with Syria prior to the protests, Qatar was the first Gulf state to close their embassy in Damascus. However, a part from possible consequences, it is interesting to note Qatar’s “pro-revolution” and “pro-democracy” stance, as well as the leader’s ambiguous position, in maintaining relations with Iran and housing an US military base. As the centre of Al-Jazeera, a satellite television channel that offers comprehensive and free reports on the entire Arab world, it is interesting to note that this does not spread to reporting on its own country. In Syria, loyalists and pro- Assad media outlets refer to it as a slave of America. In the West, there are those that see the Emir as having an important role, and as a courageous diplomat and mediator, whilst others accuse him of helping Islamic groups in Libya and dislike him having excellent relations with the religious parties in Tunisia and Egypt, and of facilitating an Islamic program. Macro-regional interests A) Syria The Emir of Qatar was the first Arab leader, from the start to be completely in favour of foreign intervention in Syria. The Emir, Hamad is an ambitious man, and he is not content with only wealth and having a presence, but is also determined in carrying out an important political role, internationally, which to this point has been a success, declaring himself at the start of the “Arab Springs” a defender of the protests, and not only through words.
As has been seen, Qatar was integral in guaranteeing the support of the Arab league in NATO’s intervention in Libya, and in March 2011, he helped the rebels to create training camps in Bengasi and on the Nafusa mountains west of Tripoli and also helped them on an economic level, by giving them 400 million dollars. Several months later, Qatar’s sheik, responsible for the mission of the Arab League’s observers in Syria, has been pushing for the deployment of Arab troops in Syria to stop the bloodshed. In the Arab world, opposed to the idea are Iraq and Algeria, despite the pressure asserted by Qatar, Saudi Arabia and other petrol led monarchies, who want to gain the upper hand. Regional and international interests are planning Syria’s future and debate as to whether there should be foreign intervention even by the Syrian opposition itself is not being taken into consideration. Haytham al Manna, leader of the Committee for National Co-ordination, including national and leftist movements and groups has recently reacted with anger at the announcement made by Burhan Ghalioun from the Syrian National Council, which includes conservative groups, the Muslim brotherhood and other Islamic movements because of an accord reached in Turkey with Syrian military deserters. The announcement, according to Haytham al Manna; who is opposed to external interference in Syria, will no doubt be a decisive step towards civil war. Furthermore, at the beginning of the protests in Egypt, following on from the protests in Tunisia, observers asked themselves constantly
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Page 3 and 4: In fact, it will host the Football
Page 5 and 6: illion, which is currently controll
Page 7: oadcaster in Beirut have even annou
Page 11 and 12: opposition members in exile, in par
Page 13 and 14: However, what has brought them to t
Page 15 and 16: Qatari citizens do not pay tax and

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

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