Qatar: Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy Kenneth Katzman Specialist in Middle Eastern Affairs Updated September 25, 2019 Congressional Research Service 7-.... www.crs.gov R44533 SUMMARY R44533 Qatar: Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy September 25, 2019 The State of Qatar has employed its ample financial resources to exert regional influence separate from and independent of Saudi Arabia, the de facto leader of the Gulf Cooperation Council Kenneth Katzman (GCC: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Oman), an alliance of Specialist in Middle six Gulf monarchies. While fostering a close defense and security alliance with the United States, Eastern Affairs Qatar has intervened in several regional conflicts and has, at times, engaged Sunni Islamists, Iran
[email protected] and Iran-backed groups, and Israeli officials. Qatar has maintained consistent dialogue with Iran while also supporting U.S. efforts to limit Iran’s regional influence and U.S. combat against For a copy of the full report, major regional terrorist organizations such as the Islamic State organization. please call 7-.... or visit www.crs.gov. Qatar’s support for regional Muslim Brotherhood organizations and its Al Jazeera media network have contributed to a backlash against Qatar led by fellow GCC states Saudi Arabia and the UAE. In June 2017, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Bahrain, joined by Egypt and a few other governments, severed relations with Qatar and imposed limits on the entry and transit of Qatari nationals and vessels in their territories, waters, and airspace. The Trump Administration has sought, unsuccessfully to date, to mediate a resolution of the dispute, hindering U.S.