QATAR’S DEFENSE POLICY: SMART CHOICES OF A SMALL STATE

Abstract

Defense policy of Qatar to a great extent depends on the geopolitical situation in the Middle East and it’s heavily affected by the instable relations with the Gulf neighbors. Qatar has conducted a defense policy characterized by a strong focus on the self-defense capabilities, bandwagoning and the military shelter. It important to emphasize that defense policy of Qatar is first defined in “selfinterest” terms. This means that state power needs investitures to build and maintain a strong army or national defense system, an army that could be able of defensive and offensive activity. That is why Qatar allocates enormous resources and budgets to acquiring the equipment and services necessary to fulfill this goal. In parallel, the alliance strategy is the second key component of this approach. The blockade forced Qatar to review its perception of threats and reformulate a new strategy to protect its sovereignty. The new strategic environment generated by the blockade demonstrates that the threats are increasingly coming from its neighbouring states in the Gulf.