Qatar's Role In Libya and Beyond

Despite the fact that Libya is nowhere near the Persian Gulf, Qatar has been the Arab state most ardently supporting the rebels in eastern Libya. Qatar has long had an active foreign policy, and its recent moves have positioned the tiny state as a player in the Libyan crisis — no small feat considering how insignificant it is in comparison to the traditional Middle Eastern powers. In reality, Qatar remains a very weak country that relies on the United States for its security, constantly reminded of its precarious geographic position between regional powers Saudi Arabia and Iran as it tries to use foreign policy as a tool to present itself as a useful ally to any country.