Why This Country In The Gulf Has Become A Key Global Mediator

International International News

Posted by AI on 2025-08-20 12:08:17 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-08-20 17:12:39

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From the Gaza Strip to Afghanistan, Doha has become a mediator extraordinaire, hosting all manner of talks, but its diplomacy is being put to the test as the Ukraine-Russia crisis deepens.

Just a few years ago, the Qataris were the pariahs of the Gulf States, expelled from the Arab League for allegedly supporting terrorist groups and destabilizing the region. This stemmed from Qatar's then-nascent support for Islamist groups like the Muslim Brotherhood, which led to a tense standoff with its neighbours, who gravitated increasingly towards the Trump administration.

Fast forward to 2022, and Qatar is hosting talks between parties from across the Middle East, Asia, and the West, including ongoing efforts to help mitigate the Ukraine-Russia crisis (even though Qatar has ties with Russia and is one of the few Arab states that has not joined the anti-Russia sanctions).

Doha's neutrality, discreet diplomacy, and (let's be honest) wealth have helped it to become a trusted middleman in a hot-headed part of the world, and whilst it still has a rocky relationship with its neighbours, this agile diplomacy has helped it become a key global player. It's even hosting the FIFA World Cup in a few months' time.

However, its mediatory role in the Ukraine-Russia crisis is a real test of whether Doha's diplomacy can survive real geopolitical strain, especially between global superpowers, and not just conflicts in lesser-known regions.

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