Analysis
How Qatar built an empire of influence across the world
Lobbyists, soft power, and billion-dollar deals help the emirate punch above its weight.
Last weekend, while Israel was grappling with the Qatar-Gate scandal and the extent to which Qatar infiltrated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's inner circle by financing or employing his associates, the Gulf state recorded another international achievement. George Glezmann, an American citizen who had been held captive for over two years by the Taliban, was released and arrived in Doha, Qatar’s capital, directly from Kabul. Glezmann’s release was secured through a deal in which Qatar served as the primary mediator. For its role, Qatar was praised by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who called it a "reliable partner and trusted mediator." Later, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff commended Qatar's rulers, describing them as "decent people with very good intentions because they are a small country that wants to be recognized as a peacemaker."
Earlier last week, Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, hosted the presidents of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo—two nations embroiled in conflict—for mediation talks at his palace. These recent developments highlight how Qatar has evolved over the past three decades into the smallest country with the greatest global influence. Today, there is hardly a global conflict where Qatar does not offer its mediation services and is not accepted by the warring parties. To Qatar’s credit, this status is the result of a well-crafted strategy by the ruling Al Thani family, leveraging the country’s most valuable asset—the world’s largest natural gas reserves—to gain global power and influence. This strategy, executed with precision and supported by an army of lobbyists, has positioned Qatar as a legitimate global player, welcomed in every Western capital, despite lingering controversies over its alleged involvement in financing terrorism, money laundering, and human rights violations.
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Doha before sunset with a view of the skyline of the capital of Qatar
(Photo: Karim Jaafar/ AFP)
Huge investments to shape a positive image
Until the late 1980s and early 1990s, Qatar was a marginal player on both the global and Middle Eastern stage. It was considered a protégé of Saudi Arabia and was not particularly influential in foreign policy. Economically, Qatar had little to offer beyond small-scale oil production, fishing, and pearling. However, an internal coup within the royal family and the launch of large-scale natural gas production in the mid-1990s marked a turning point, transforming Qatar into a global powerhouse.
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who seized power from his father in 1995, was an Islamist with grand ambitions. He laid the foundation for Qatar’s rise as a global player, capitalizing on its vast gas reserves. Qatar shares the world’s largest natural gas field with Iran, and while international sanctions hindered Iran’s development of the resource, leading energy giants—including the American firm ExxonMobil—rushed to Qatar to develop its share of the field.
As a small nation sandwiched between two regional powers—Saudi Arabia and Iran—Qatar adopted a strategic policy of "being a friend to all." Despite its public diplomacy with Iran, Qatar remains wary that Tehran could one day turn against it over disputes related to their shared gas field. This concern drives Qatar’s effort to maintain strong ties with the only power capable of deterring Iran—the United States.
Despite its relationship with Iran, Qatar hosts the largest U.S. airbase in the Middle East, having invested billions in its construction and ongoing maintenance. More broadly, Qatar’s relationship with the U.S. is a cornerstone of its national security strategy, which it strengthens through massive purchases of American-made military equipment and investments in the U.S. economy. As a result, every U.S. administration in recent decades—Republican and Democratic alike—has regarded Qatar as a crucial regional ally.
Qatar’s natural gas wealth, generating annual revenues of over $100 billion, has enabled it to establish and expand its sovereign wealth fund, the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA). The fund’s portfolio, now valued at approximately $600 billion, focuses on strategic, high-profile assets that enhance Qatar’s global influence, such as Barclays Bank and Paris Saint-Germain football club. Qatar is willing to spend heavily to enhance its international image, treating it as a long-term investment rather than a financial return. The most striking example is the 2022 FIFA World Cup, for which Qatar spent over $200 billion—an astronomical sum with no direct economic return. However, from Qatar’s perspective, the event was a worthwhile investment in its global reputation, despite widespread criticism over the exploitation and deaths of migrant workers involved in tournament-related construction and allegations of bribery in securing the hosting rights.
Billions spent on an army of lobbyists
Beyond investments in key industries, Qatar dedicates substantial funds to lobbying efforts worldwide, ensuring that policymakers and influencers promote its interests. These efforts include blocking unfavorable decisions, deflecting criticism, and highlighting Qatar’s humanitarian initiatives. The exact amount Qatar spends on lobbying is unclear, but reports suggest the $20 million it officially spent in the U.S. in 2023 is just the tip of the iceberg, as much of its lobbying operates discreetly and indirectly.
In 2018, Qatar began transferring $30 million per month to Gaza—a move approved by the Israeli government. Ironically, the Palestinian Authority opposed these payments, as it had ceased funding the salaries of Hamas officials in Gaza. Although Qatar’s funds were officially designated for "civilian needs," much of the money—totaling approximately $2 billion over the years—ended up directly or indirectly in Hamas’ hands, significantly bolstering its military capabilities.
