On 9/9, Israel launched missiles into Qatar's capital, Doha, hitting a complex where high-ranking Hamas leaders were meeting, located within a densely populated residential area. The attack killed at least 6 people, including a Qatari security officer. The US took no action to protect its ally, despite having a military base only about 30 km away.

Israel's strike not only casts doubt on the US security umbrella in the Gulf but also undermines Qatar's carefully cultivated efforts to become a diplomatic mediator similar to Switzerland.

Qatar's Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani at the Arab League summit in Iraq on 17/5. Photo: AFP

Qatar's Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani at the Arab League summit in Iraq on 17/5. Photo: AFP

Qatar is a small Gulf nation with a population of about 3 million, bordering Saudi Arabia. Thanks to its vast natural gas reserves, Qatar has become one of the richest countries in the world.

With its strong financial foundation, Qatar has invested heavily in "soft power" for many years, increasing its international standing in cultural, diplomatic, and humanitarian fields, aiming to become the "Switzerland of the Middle East".

In 1996, Qatar established the Al Jazeera television channel, praised for promoting debate in the region but also criticized for airing the views of Islamic militant groups. Around the same time, Qatar built the Al Udeid air base. In 2001, this base became the largest US military installation in the Middle East.

Qatar maintains a wide and diverse network of relationships, demonstrating support for various groups and movements across the Middle East through means such as hosting offices and providing weapons or financial assistance. These include armed groups in Libya, opposition factions in Syria, Tunisia, and Yemen during the Arab Spring.

Analysts suggest that this policy allows Qatar to ensure its own security in a volatile region while also competing with rivals.

At the request of the US, Qatar allowed the political wings of Hamas and the Taliban to establish offices in the country between 2012 and 2013 to facilitate negotiations with the West. Qatar also has good relations with Iran, a rival of most Arab countries and Israel.

As a friend to all sides, Qatar hosted talks with the Taliban when the group seized power in Afghanistan in 2021, facilitating humanitarian operations. The Gulf nation also hosted US-Iran nuclear talks, mediated a ceasefire between Iran and Israel to end the conflict in June, participated in efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war, and is currently promoting ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas.

"Qatar certainly benefits from its mediating position, as both East and West, to some extent, see them as a valuable friend," said Cinzia Bianco, a Gulf expert at the European Council on Foreign Relations.

"They can talk to everyone," Yoel Guzansky, a former Gulf expert at the Israeli National Security Council, told the Wall Street Journal. "It's in their DNA, stemming from the belief that their mediation acts as a form of insurance, protecting them from harm."

But that belief began to fade this summer. Qatar's "shield of privilege" cracked when Iran launched missiles at the Al Udeid base in late June in retaliation for a US attack on its nuclear facilities. The US and Qatar claimed to have shot down most of the Iranian missiles, except for one not considered a threat.

Israel's 9/9 attack on Doha dealt an even heavier blow to Qatar's diplomatic efforts, as Qatar is a sovereign nation, a US ally, and still maintains relations with Israel. In the past, countries mediating between Israel and the Arab bloc, such as Norway or Egypt, also faced pressure, but not a direct attack on their territory.

"This move will force Qatar to reassess its mediation policy and adjust its regional strategy," Adham Saouli, head of the security research program at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, told TRT World.

Sinem Cengiz, a researcher at the Gulf Studies Center at Qatar University, shared a similar view. "Israel's attack has demonstrated that it's difficult for a single nation to shoulder the heavy burden of regional issues. Collective action is needed to support Qatar or any other mediator," Cengiz said.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani said the mediating role is part of "Qatar's identity" and pledged to continue peacemaking efforts even in the face of "state-sponsored terrorism" backed by Israel.

Some countries in the Middle East. Graphic: BBC

Some countries in the Middle East. Graphic: BBC

The attack on Doha also sets a dangerous precedent for mediators. If neutral negotiation venues become targets, the very foundation of conflict resolution is undermined. For other mediators in the region, especially the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, who are promoting dialogue on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Doha attack demonstrates the need to diversify and strengthen security arrangements.

"Gulf countries used to believe they were immune to the chaos in the region," said Bader Al-Saif, a Gulf expert at Kuwait University. "Now they have been repeatedly drawn into trouble in the past few months."

Nhu Tam (According to Wall Street Journal, DW, TRT World)