On the date of May 12, US President Donald Trump arrived to address the media at the White House as usual. He said that Qatar is giving us a gift. If we do not accept it then we will be foolish humans. Then comes the day of May 14, the Trump, who arrived on his middle East tour, has been given a Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet gift by the Qatar government. This luxury plane priced at Rs 3400 crore is called ‘Flying Palace’ or Udta Mahal. The small country in the middle East, Qatar, whose population is said to be just 30 lakhs. Its biggest strength is Akol Dhan Daulat, which you must have guessed from the world’s most expensive gifts gifted to Trump. But Qatar is known for another thing these days. As a diplomatic powerhouse in resolving international quarrels.
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Qatar’s important role in Iran-Israeli struggle
Qatar was attacked by Iran. The attack was not on Qatar but at American military bases. However, the air defense system was working there. Several Iran missiles were also intercepted. But there were many missiles that hit the target and from there Qatar put pressure on America. After which America had to bow down. Qatar did not give the US a military base because it caused damage to Qatar. Was given the base to use peace. But due to this base, when Qatar began to face the danger of breach of peace in his own country, then pressure was made on America. First talked to Qatar to Iran and then talked to America. It is being said in the media report that the heads of Qatar woke up all night and kept cordinate.
Qatar’s soft power from Gulf to Africa
This is not the first time the oil rich Qatar has taken steps to mediate in a struggle. From the 1990s, the Gulf country with a population of 3.15 million has created a global reputation for its role as a reliable intermediary. Not only in the Middle East but also in distant African countries like Sudan. Prior to the new wave of Iran-Israel conflict, Qatar mediated Sudan Civil War, US-Taliban Deal, Israel-Hizbullah Agreement and rushed closer to the Russian-Ukraine war. The nation has played an important role in resolving weak mortgage situations between the two countries by releasing prisoners.
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America became a mediator in Afghan war
It takes an hour to reach the shining towers of Doha from a paved road that is hot in the sunlight of al-udid air base. However, the journey for America was eight years old. In 2013, the Taliban established a diplomatic mission in the capital of Qatar. Opened with the consent of the US, the purpose of this office was to initiate a peace process that would end the US war in Afghanistan. Of course, the end did not happen as America expected. The air journey to get out of Kabul for return after years of struggle was very much dependent on Qatar. The United States took out 120,000 people from Afghanistan, about half of which passed through al-udid (painted). There are only 3 million people living in this small Emirates. Qatar played the role of an intermediary in discussion on the return of American and Neto soldiers from Afghanistan and the situation in Afghanistan. Qatar played the lead role, whose ambassador in Kabul personally took the convoy to the airport to ensure a safe route. Its efforts were praised by President Joe Biden. On August 20, he called the rich of Qatar to thank Tamim bin Hamad al Thani.
Sudan’s Darfur Peace Agreement, 2011 and 2020
Qatar facilitated a peace deal at Darfur in Sudan in 2011 and then in 2020. The 2011 Darfur Shanti Agreement, also known as the Doha Agreement, was signed between Sudan Sarkar and Liberation and Justice Movement in July 2011. The agreement established a compensation fund for the victims of the Darfur conflict, allowing the President of Sudan to be appointed as a Vice-President from Darfur, and established a new Darfur Regional Authority to oversee the region until a referendum determines its permanent position within the Sudan Republic.
Russia-Ukraine War of 2023
Qatar played an important role in the mediation of an agreement between Russia and Ukraine to free more than 15 children captive by both sides in 2023. The country also hosted the children freed through this agreement. Qatar announced on 16 October 2023 that its arbitration efforts resulted in four Ukrainian children to be re -merged with their families. According to reports, six and Ukrainian children were to be brought back from Russia under a deal armed by Qatar. The Washington Post then stated that Russia and Ukraine were on the verge of involvement in the indirect ceasefire talks in Doha in Qatar in August 2023.
Israel-gazing war
In the current Israel-Hamas War, Qatar has been one of the leading intermediaries in securing some hostages that Hamas took hostage during the attacks on Israel on 7 October. Qatar has particularly played a remarkable role in the release of Israeli hostages held hostage by Hamas. The most important example of Qatar’s arbitration was the case of Gilad Shalit, an Israeli soldier who was caught by Hamas near the Israeli-Gaja border in 2006. After years of conversation, an agreement was reached for the release of Shalit in exchange for more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel in 2011. Qatar, along with Egypt and Germany, played an important role in the mediation of the agreement.
Lebanese crisis 2008
In 2008, Qatar played an important role as a mediator, successfully mediation in the Doha Agreement that postponed a possible civil war in Lebanon. This crisis was aroused by political deadlock and armed clashes between Hizbullah and the Lebanese government. The government’s efforts to eliminate Hizbullah’s communication network led to a boost to the crisis.