Qatar: A Possible Coup Attempt?

Rumors circulating in the Arab media in the past several days claimed that a coup was attempted against Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani. STRATFOR sources in the Qatari government confirmed that preparations for a coup were under way but it was aborted in the planning stages. Although tensions within the royal family are simmering in the tiny Persian Gulf state, Arab media exaggerated the alleged coup attempt and the situation appears to be under control.