Executive Summary 

Within the past two decades, Qatar's dynamic economy and regionalized power has brought it into the evolving landscape of international aid, which is increasingly occupied by 'non-traditional' donors (Cotterrell & Harmer 2005). Although traditionally known for its commercial activities, Qatar is cultivating a sophisticated engagement with peace and conflict issues extending far beyond the provision of aid; it embraces a wide range of operations, from relief to military intervention and conflict mediation. Yet, Qatar remains a little-understood new actor on the humanitarian scene.

Qatar's rise as a humanitarian actor should be understood alongside other 'non-traditional' donors including the Gulf States, the BRIC states, Brazil, India and China. It has assumed a leadership role in recent conflict-affected contexts across the West Asia and North Africa (WANA) and from Yemen, through Lebanon, to Darfur. A clear understanding of its motivations for undertaking this role, however, and the impact of its engagement has not yet been sought. This may be, in part, because Qatar's humanitarian portfolio is made up of a flurry of very recent activity. This research paper attempts to address this knowledge gap by providing an assessment of Qatar's peace and conflict engagement activities with a specific focus on conflict mediation.

The study has forward looking significance, too. Following the Arab Spring of 2011, the need for regional political responses to instability and conflict is bound to continue, as is Qatar's role as a mediator. An understanding of motivations and impact is vital to re-stabilisation. This study begins to address this need in highlighting the characteristics of and motivations behind Qatari intervention, which provide useful and timely insights into the ways in which conflict mediation might be conducted more effectively in the near future.

A central research question framing the study concerns the motivations behind Qatar's involvement in peace mediation:

why does Qatar engage in conflict-affected and post-conflict contexts?

The paper first draws on a brief history of Qatar's rise to global prominence at the end of the 20th century in order to place its humanitarian engagements in context. Next, the study provides a typology of the Qatar's peace engagement activities. An overview of its sectoral activities in conflict and post-conflict contexts is then offered, with a specific focus on conflict mediation. Finally, the significance of the Arab Spring to any future peace engagement role for Qatar is considered. On the basis of this multi-faceted analysis, recommendations as to how Qatar might enhance its role are advanced in the final section of the paper. Suggestions for areas of further research are also made.

For citation: 

Barakat, Sultan., & Milton, Sansom (2011). Qatar's Role In Conflict and Peace: An Assessment of Motivations and Influence. Saferworld.