Bridging the Gulf: Qatari business diplomacy and conflict mediation

Business is fundamentally political in the Gulf. This thesis identifies the centers of power in contemporary Qatar, and highlights the overlap of commerce and politics. Qatari business diplomacy - defined as Doha's use of foreign policy to protect its investments and utilization of financial capacity to drive its diplomacy - is explored through three case studies, where Qatar has acted as a conflict mediator: Yemen, Lebanon, and Sudan. This exploration is done against the backdrop of Qatar's international relations and a changing regional balance of power. The thesis is largely based on primary sources, including interviews with representatives from both sides in all three case studies of Qatari conflict mediation.