Saudi Arabia and Qatar Take Leading Roles in Global Diplomacy
Saudi Arabia and Qatar are positioning themselves as major diplomatic players by hosting key negotiations on the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, reports Ali Hussain of The Media Line. Saudi Arabia is facilitating discussions in Jeddah involving the US, Ukraine, and Russia, while Qatar is overseeing talks in Doha between Israel and Hamas. Both Gulf nations have long histories of mediation, despite past tensions, and their diplomatic efforts are drawing international attention.
Although Saudi Arabia and Qatar are both members of the Gulf Cooperation Council, their foreign policies often diverge. Qatar has historically supported groups like the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas, while Saudi Arabia has opposed such alliances. Their rivalry led to a diplomatic crisis in 2017, which was only resolved in 2021 with the Al-Ula Agreement. Despite these differences, both countries are now using their regional influence to broker peace.
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Saudi Arabia has played a significant role in past negotiations, including the 1989 Taif Agreement, which ended Lebanon’s civil war. Qatar, known for hosting US-Taliban negotiations, maintains strong ties with Hamas and Iran. Analysts believe Saudi Arabia’s close relationship with President Donald Trump makes it an ideal mediator in the Ukraine-Russia conflict, while Qatar’s ties to Hamas allow it to influence talks between Israel and the group.
Experts suggest that while there is competition between Saudi Arabia and Qatar for diplomatic leadership, both nations ultimately seek to expand their global influence. To understand the full impact of these negotiations, read the complete report by Hussain.
