by Mairaj ul Hamid Nasri
Qatar has truly become a metaphor of resilience and steadfastness for achieving the epic goal of a global negotiator. Despite the countless atrocities they have faced; the Qataris have focused upon the vision and mission entrusted to them by their founding father Sheikh Al-Jassim. Qatar, although a small state rather a modern city state, yet rich with energy resources, vision off the forefathers, missionary stewardship of the up springs, targeted implementation of the devoted team of the Ameer Al-Thani and last but not the least their open-heartedness for conflict resolution through negotiations, mediation and arbitration, and welcoming the skilled workers from around the world working day and night for development of the state of Qatar.
Notwithstanding to these unparalleled features of Qatar, the global anarchists and chaos designers have not let Qatar to do its job of mediation having global long lasting impacts. Qatar have been offering incentives to the major powers with expensive gifts, perks and privileges just to show their passive intentions for having respect for all and in return ensure its security. Overtly, Qatar have established itself as protagonist of peace and antagonist of conflicts around the world.
Nevertheless, despite the assurance of USA and others for security; Qatar faced the assault of Israel in the pretext of attacking Hamas leadership without prior notice to the Qatari government. This tragic move shook the hopes of the civilized world looking forward for adopting Qatari model of foreign policy calibration. Qatar convened emergency meeting of OIC but owing to its divided nature, it failed to echo a threatening and alarming communique credible enough to deter the opposition.
Now their is huge burden of policy challenges for the state of Qatar. There is confusion amongst the opinion makers that whether Qatar will shun the way it has opted for or will prove resilient in their policy and decision making especially foreign policy formulation. Here are some policy options for Qatar to opt for.
Firstly, Qatar should influence global public opinion through diplomatic outreach and through proving their victim hood, defeat Israel on the diplomatic front because Qatar’s diplomats and strategists have been schooled and groomed in such a manner that they mean the importance of diplomatic space and power.
Secondly, Qatar should urgently work upon trustworthy allies for ensuring its security because of its unfavorable and unfriendly neighborhood.
Thirdly, Qatar should strike secret deals with regional states for establishing minimum credible deterrence.
Fourthly, the government of Qatar should acquire advanced defence technology along with standing a team of qualified and skilled operators that are trigger alert.
Fifthly, alongside ensuring security, Qatar should accelerate its efforts in conflicts resolution around the world to firm its resilience for peace through dialogues as conflict resolution is endemically present in their policy guidelines.
Sixthly, Qatar in this evolving global and regional order, should work out for declaring it as conflict free zone and a global Hujra or resort for mediation and negotiations.
Seventhly, the Middle East and North Africa or MENA region is becoming economic and connectivity hub in the near future, so Qatar as an energy (blood line of nations) producer and supplier should weigh its feathers for becoming economic power as well.
Eighthly, Qatar should balance its strategic partnerships with USA and China for lessening its reliance on a single power, i.e. USA.
Ninthly, Qatar should not pay any attention to the extension of Abraham Accords to Qatar and defy any move involving the aggressor state and a serial violator of international law, norms and values.
Tenth is that every global and regional forum should be used to ensure befitting response to the aggressors in their tone.
Last but not the least is that the uncivilized world does not respect nobility and soft nature rather compel it through muscular power and attitudes. So Qatar should take the aforementioned policy options seriously and prove that serving the conflict ridden societies is not a crime rather a noble cause and Qatar will proudly keep the missionary job alive with its steadfastness.
The author can be reached at
mairajulhamid717@gmail.com.
Mohammad Basir
Weldon and Great analysis Dr sahib keep it up