Qatar topped the Middle East rankings in the just-released 2012 MasterCard Worldwide Index for Consumer Confidence. To those who have followed the trajectory of this nation, it comes as no surprise that this tiny peninsula off Saudi Arabia has transformed into a city-state of commercial energy and urban magnificence. Less known is Qatar’s growing role in international geopolitics, and those who are aware of its position are puzzled by what Qatar hopes to achieve from it.
Since the beginning of 2011, Qatar has raised its profile as an active participant in world affairs. During 2011-12, when Qatar simultaneously held the presidency of the Arab League and of the U.N. General Assembly, it used the platform successfully to oust Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi while independently providing Qatari military and monetary support to the rebels. Similarly, it supported the revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt through the reportage of its state-owned Al Jazeera Network, which blanket-covered the protests. Qatar was the first country to recall its ambassador from Syria before calling for President Assad to step down, and was host to the peace accords between the Sudanese government and Darfur rebels in 2011.