A (Very) Brief History of the Middle East Part 11

We grow ever nearer to the end of the alphabet, and as we do I continue to find hidden countries nestled into the Middle East, toiling in virtual anonymity due to their lack of international dealings, yet essential to the global economic picture. Qatar, for example…

Qatar: The pattern of transitions for Middle Eastern countries seems to be Ottoman Empire, British rule, independence. Qatar is no different, though it did gain its independence a little later than other Gulf States (1971)

Qatar officially became a British Protectorate in 1916, but following WWII the reach of the British Empire diminished. Increased international pressure for British withdrawal from Arab states, along with Kuwait’s successful declaration of independence in 1961, encouraged the rest of Arabia to seek its own independence.

Qatar initially joined the group of states that would go on to form the United Arab Emirates, but regional disputes led Qatar to resign and declare its own independence.

Khalifa Bin Hamad Al Thani was the Emir of Qatar from the time it gained independence until 1995, when Khalifa’s son Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani seized power while his father vacationed in Switzerland (what a back-stabber). Hamad rules to this day, and the country has flourished under his leadership. Qatar has been socially liberalized, women have been enfranchised, and the nation ranks as the 11th richest country in the world per capita. Qatar is also home of the controversial Arab television station Al Jazeera.

Qatar, for the most part, stays out world conflicts. It was one of the main launching points for the US invasion of Iraq in 2003, but has kept its distance from the war otherwise and sees little terrorist activity.

Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia first emerged in 1744 when regional ruler Muhammad bi Saud partnered with cleric Muhammad Abd Al-Wahhab, establishing the roots of what remains Saudi Arabia’s dynasty rule. Over the next 150 years the Saud family contended with Egypt and the Ottoman Empire for control.

In 1902 Abdul Aziz Ibn Saud, at the age of 22, recaptured Riyadh, the ancestral capital, from the Al-Rashid family. Abdul Aziz went on to conquer the surrounding kingdoms of Al-Hasa, Al-Qatif, Nejd, and Hejaz. These conquests lasted until 1932, when Abdul Aziz’s conquered territories were unified to form the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Vast reserves of oil were discovered in 1938, and the country has been incredibly economically prosperous ever since. Politically, the country has a history of isolationism. Abdul Aziz refused to join League of Nations, and from 1916 to his death in 1953 left his kingdom only three times.

Due to its size and economic prosperity Saudi Arabia has faced few challenges to its sovereignty. There were concerns that Iraq may trade to invade from Kuwait when they annexed the country in 1991, but coalition forces stepped in before this came to fruition.

Lately the country has become more vocal on the international scene, working with its Arab neighbors and the US to establish peace in the region.


So close…

Thanks for reading.