The Effect of Geographical Factors on the Foreign Policy of Qatar during 2014-2016

Abstract

Objectives:Qatar is a small country that showed an important role in the local, regional, and international levels. Several geographical factors such as location, area, shape, and regional water have affected Qatar’s foreign affairs policy. Therefore, this study aims at illustrating the role of geographical factors in the country’s foreign affairs policy. What makes the study significant is that it is the first study which focuses on this topic in Qatar. 

Methods: The study has used to analysis the Foreign polices decisions two methods (i.e. Dwisha, 1977) (Dawisha) framework throughout the study.

Results: The study revealed that some geographical factors had recently benefited Qatar during the forced siege by some GCC countries. Also, the political crises made Qatar depends mainly in its foreign affairs policy on the given energy resources alongside with a wide range of foreign relationships network with the effective countries in the international policy. This, enabled Qatar to overcome on the lack of space and population in order to enhance its economy to be out of the dominance of some GCC countries.

Conclusions: Finally, the study approved that Qatar had inter-relation foreign network that positioned Qatar politically among countries, organizations, institutions comparing with large states. Keywords: Qatar’s geopolitics, Foreign policy, geographical factors, Qatar Siege, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).