Qatari mediation: between ambition and achievement

Over the past decade, the small state of Qatar has both garnered significant attention and generated considerable controversy through its pursuit of several high-profile conflict mediation efforts. These included mediating between the Yemeni government and Houthi rebels in 2007-2008, hosting 2008 negotiations to head off political conflict in Lebanon, and facilitating talks between the Sudanese government and various rebel movements in Darfur. While Qatar’s record of success in these efforts is mixed, an in-depth analysis of its mediation history reveals a number of areas that, if fine-tuned, could potentially enable Qatar to play a much-needed role in regional conflict resolution.