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For years, both Qatar and Bahrain claimed ownership of the Hawar Islands. The case was eventually referred to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague. The ICJ issued a ruling in June 2001, which both sides accepted. In the agreement Bahrain kept the main Hawar Island but dropped claims to parts of mainland Qatar, while Qatar retained significant maritime areas and their resources.
For years, both Qatar and Bahrain claimed ownership of the Hawar Islands. The case was eventually referred to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague. The ICJ issued a ruling in June 2001, which both sides accepted. In the agreement Bahrain kept the main Hawar Island but dropped claims to parts of mainland Qatar, while Qatar retained significant maritime areas and their resources.
Qatar is well known for being a mediator in the region. The government has brokered peace between Sunni radicals and the Yemeni government,<ref>http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2008/02/2008525134531779340.html</ref> and has also negotiated a peace deal in Lebanon averting a potential civil war.<ref>http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2008/02/2008525134531779340.html</ref> Much of their political capital has been earned through various humanitarian donations. The Qatari government provided $300 million dollars to help rebuild Lebanon after their war with Israel.<ref>http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,212521,00.html</ref> Additionally, after many Western nations cut off aid to Palestine in response to the election of Hamas, Qatar promised $50 million to help maintain the welfare of the state. While the United States has not supported every action taken by the Qatari government, the nation remains an indispensable asset on the road to peace in the Middle East. In response to questions regarding Qatar's positive relationships with both Western and Middle Eastern nations, Prime Minister Al Thani responded "Our ambition is to have prosperity for our people, we would like to be friendly with everyone."<ref>http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/03/04/america/letter5.php?page=2</ref>
==People==
==People==
==Defense==
==Defense==
Qatar's defense expenditures are estimated to be in the range of 10% of GDP. Qatar maintains a modest military force of about 12,000 men, including an army, navy, and air force. The country has a public security force of about 8,000 men, including a coast guard, national firefighting force, air wing, marine police, and an internal security force. Qatar also has signed defense pacts with the U.S., U.K., and France. Qatar plays an active role in the collective defense efforts of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC--the regional organization of the Arab states in the Gulf; the other five members are Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, the U.A.E., and Oman). Qatari forces played an important role in the first Gulf War, and Qatar has supported U.S. military operations critical to the success of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Qatar hosts CENTCOM Forward Headquarters.
Qatar's defense expenditures are estimated to be in the range of 10% of GDP. Qatar maintains a modest military force of about 12,000 men, including an army, navy, and air force. The country has a public security force of about 8,000 men, including a coast guard, national firefighting force, air wing, marine police, and an internal security force. Qatar also has signed defense pacts with the U.S., U.K., and France. Qatar plays an active role in the collective defense efforts of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC--the regional organization of the Arab states in the Gulf; the other five members are Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, the U.A.E., and Oman). Qatari forces played an important role in the first Gulf War, and Qatar has supported U.S. military operations critical to the success of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Al Udeid, one of America's largest Air Force bases, remains a critical asset to operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan.<ref>http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE3DA133DF93BA15757C0A9659C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=1</ref> Qatar hosts CENTCOM Forward Headquarters.
==Economy==
==Economy==
{{License|license = This work is in the [[public domain]] in the United States because it is a work of the United States Federal Government under the terms of Title 17, Chapter 1, Section 105 of the US Code.| source = [http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5437.htm]}}
{{License|license = This work is in the [[public domain]] in the United States because it is a work of the United States Federal Government under the terms of Title 17, Chapter 1, Section 105 of the US Code.| source = [http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5437.htm]}}
==References==
<references/>
[[category:Middle Eastern Countries]]
[[category:Middle Eastern Countries]]
[[Category:Muslim-Majority Countries]]
[[Category:Muslim-Majority Countries]]