Political Post about Qatar

Qatar is an unusual country -- kept alive by its tribal pride and its stunning oil&gas wealth. Since its indepdendence in 1971, when it refused to join the other Arab Emirates as part of their Union, Qatar has charted an independent course. Its neighbors were always a bit suspicious, and often jealous, of Qatar's independence. This was reflected in several diplomatic spats over the years, and an abortive coup attempt in 1996. It flared up suddenly last June when the neighbors clamped an embargo.
When we lived in Saudi Arabia in 2011, we witnessed the patent takeover of tiny neighboring Bahrain by Saudi military forces. Qatar is determined to avoid that fate, and Bahrain is determined to bring cousin Qatar into its same orbit, along with the UAE.

We have never heard the Qatari Emir speak, until a recent interview with Charlie Rose, for CBS' 60 Minutes program. This is quite a PR benefit for Qatar, as the video paints the picture very favorably, with only softball questions from Charlie Rose, and only one short negative reference -- to imported laborers in the hot sun. We agree fully with Qatar's innocence and moral superiority in the embargo issue. But the history is certainly more nuanced than can be presented in 15 minutes.
Watch the video. The Emir speaks very well, and the video is an excellent overview, for a US audience, of both the country and the recent embargo.

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