Qatar | Council on Foreign Relations

Tunisia

Tunisia’s Election, U.S. Congress Seeks to Avert Shutdown, World Cup Ends, and More

Tunisians will vote in the first elections since the adoption of a new constitution that critics say is antidemocratic; the U.S. Congress rushes to pass a spending bill to avert a government shutdown; and Argentina and France compete in the World Cup final as host Qatar faces international scrutiny.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Robert McMahon December 15, 2022 The World Next Week
International Organizations

A Troubled Cup for the Beautiful Game

The 2022 FIFA World Cup has kicked off in Qatar, and billions of fans worldwide are tuning in to the world’s most popular live event. And yet as in years past, the Qatar Cup is transpiring under the shadow of controversy.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra and Laurent Dubois November 23, 2022 Why It Matters
Climate Change

Iran’s Human Rights Abuses, COP27 Concludes, World Cup Kicks Off, and More

The UN Human Rights Council meets for a special session on the Iranian regime’s brutal crackdown on protesters; the COP27 conference draws to a close amid calls from developing countries to increase funding for climate damages; and the 2022 FIFA World Cup begins in Doha, Qatar, even as controversy lingers.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Alice C. Hill November 17, 2022 The World Next Week

Qatar

A Conversation With Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani of Qatar

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani discusses developments in Afghanistan, engagements with Palestinians, policy priorities for Qatar-U.S. relations, and broader regional concerns.

Virtual Event by Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani September 23, 2021
Saudi Arabia

Just How Important Is the Rift Between Qatar and the Saudi Arabia-led Quartet?

Amir Asmar is a Department of Defense analyst and CFR’s national intelligence fellow. Throughout his intelligence career, his primary area of focus has been the Middle East. He held a wide range of a…

Blog Post by Amir Asmar and Gabriela Hasaj June 22, 2020 Strength Through Peace
Middle East and North Africa

A Conversation With Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani for a discussion on the foreign policy challenges facing Qatar, its vision for the Middle East, and the future of U.S.-Qatar relations.

Event with Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani November 30, 2018

Turkey

Could A Coalition of the “Friends of Turkey” Ride to Turkey’s Financial Rescue?

Turkey is in a bit of financial trouble. It isn’t clear that today's rate hike on its own will be enough. The rate hike will make the lira a bit more attractive to foreign investors (and will raise t…

Blog Post by Brad W. Setser September 13, 2018 Follow the Money
Authoritarianism

Strongmen Are Weaker Than They Look

Authoritarians are on the rise around the world, but history shows they’re mostly helpless.

Blog Post by Steven A. Cook March 13, 2018 From the Potomac to the Euphrates
Qatar

Weekend Listening: The Gulf Crisis, Not Just My Hijab Part I and Part II

Marc Lynch and Kristian Coates Ulrichsen break down the crisis in the Gulf. Four stories about Middle Eastern women and their hijabs.

Blog Post by Steven A. Cook September 22, 2017 From the Potomac to the Euphrates
Qatar

The Other Gulf Conflict: How the Qatar Crisis Is Playing Out in D.C. Back Rooms

Well-fed lobbyists and think tank experts do battle over catered lunches—but it's not as sleazy as it sounds.

Blog Post by Steven A. Cook July 18, 2017 From the Potomac to the Euphrates
Qatar

How Al Jazeera Amplifies Qatar’s Clout

One of the world’s most-watched news networks is at the center of a geopolitical rift between a Saudi-led bloc and the broadcaster’s funder, Qatar.

Backgrounder by Zachary Laub July 12, 2017
Donald Trump

Qatar's Diplomatic Crisis

CFR's Steven A. Cook joins James M. Lindsay and Robert McMahon in examining the causes and consequences of Qatar's diplomatic crisis with its neighbors in the region.

Podcast with Steven A. Cook , James M. Lindsay and Robert McMahon June 30, 2017 The President’s Inbox
Qatar

Untangling the Qatar Kerfuffle

Sure, the tiny gulf state is a lousy ally — but so is everyone else in the region.

Blog Post by Steven A. Cook June 12, 2017 From the Potomac to the Euphrates
Middle East and North Africa

Guess Who’s Coming to (the GCC) Dinner?

On May 13 and 14, President Obama will be hosting a summit meeting with the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation. The members nations are Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, and Qatar. The prob…

Blog Post by Elliott Abrams May 8, 2015 Pressure Points
Egypt

Weekend Reading: Reading History in Doha, Egypt Intervenes in Libya, and Nervous Gulfies

Explore the Qatar Digital Library, an archive featuring the cultural and historical heritage of the Gulf and the wider region. Janet Basurto, writing for Egyptian Streets, explores the reasons behin…

Blog Post by Steven A. Cook October 24, 2014 From the Potomac to the Euphrates