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Positioning itself as an “honest broker” in Middle Eastern diplomacy, Qatar has engaged in mediation efforts between Israel and Hamas, including cease-fire negotiations and hostage exchanges. Qatar’s backing of other extremist organizations, including groups linked to the Muslim Brotherhood, complicates its image as a peace broker, nevertheless.
The emirate’s role in the current conflict is additionally undermined by its substantial financial and ideological support for Hamas, a designated terrorist organization. Since 2018, Qatar has provided billions of dollars to Gaza, often framed as humanitarian aid.
Qatar has transferred over $1.8 billion to the group since 2007. This support has included monthly payments of $30 million to Hamas, coordinated with the U.S. and Israeli governments. However, these funds have sustained Hamas’s governance and military operations, including the diversion of $25 million intended for UNRWA aid to fund militant activities.
Qatar’s strategic investments shaping Western policy
Qatar’s soft power strategy extends beyond regional diplomacy. The nation has used its wealth to influence Western institutions through strategic investments and donations. Qatar’s influence over media outlets, such as Al Jazeera, has allowed it to push narratives favorable to its policies on the global stage.
It is one of London's largest real estate holders, controls stakes in major corporations, and has funneled billions into American and European universities. Between 2001 and 2021, Qatar contributed approximately $4.7 billion to various academic institutions across the United States.
Notably, Northwestern University received over $600 million in Qatari gifts and contracts since opening a branch campus in Qatar in 2007. These investments are not merely financial but political, often shaping research agendas and silencing dissent on contentious issues, including its ties to terrorism and human rights abuses.
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Qatar’s duality extends beyond the Middle East. In Europe, its influence was exposed in the 2022 “Qatargate” bribery scandal, which revealed efforts to manipulate EU policy. In December 2022, the European Union was rocked by the Qatargate scandal, where members of the European Parliament were accused of accepting bribes from Qatar to sway decisions in its favor.
Investigations revealed over 300 alleged attempts by Qatar to manipulate the EU’s democratic processes. Yet its role as a critical supplier of liquefied natural gas has kept it diplomatically indispensable, particularly as Europe seeks alternatives to Russian energy.
Meanwhile, Qatar’s growing ties with non-Western powers such as Turkey and China risk alienating its Western allies. Its increased military spending and partnerships with nations such as Turkey reflect an assertive foreign policy that often contradicts Western interests, highlighting its ambitions to become a more assertive regional player.
Time for accountability
The contradictions in Qatar’s actions—mediator and enabler, modernizer and suppressor—demand greater scrutiny. Its financial support for Hamas directly undermines its credibility as a peace broker. The international community, particularly the West, must hold Qatar accountable for its role in exacerbating regional instability.
In response to international pressure, Qatar has recently asked Hamas leaders to leave the country, but this action is insufficient. It requires stricter oversight of Qatari funding channels to ensure that aid reaches its intended recipients rather than being diverted to militant groups.
Diplomatic pressure should be applied to address Qatar’s anti-Semitic propaganda and its broader support for extremism. Western universities and institutions must reevaluate their partnerships with Qatar to safeguard academic freedom and integrity.
Western ally or sponsor of extremism?
Qatar’s rise to power is a testament to its economic ingenuity and strategic acumen. However, its dual role as a partner to the West and an enabler of extremism poses significant challenges to global stability.
Jennifer TealeIt is time for coordinated action to ensure that Qatar’s immense wealth and influence promote peace and progress rather than fuel division and conflict. The world can no longer afford to overlook Qatar’s dangerous double game. Honest brokers do not fund terrorism. It is time for Qatar to choose a side.