Qatar: Background and U.S. Relations

Qatar, a small peninsular country in the Persian Gulf, has emerged as an important ally of the United States since the late 1990s and currently serves as host to major U.S. military facilities for command, basing, and equipment pre-positioning. Qatar holds the third largest proven natural gas reserves in the world, and its small population enjoys the highest per capita income of any Middle Eastern country. The Emir of Qatar, Shaikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, has embarked upon a limited course of political liberalization since replacing his father in a bloodless palace coup in 1995. The Emir also has undertaken several projects to diversify Qatars economy and improve educational opportunities for Qatari citizens. As part of Qatars liberalization experiment, the Qatari monarchy founded Al Jazeera, the Arab worlds first all-news satellite television network, in 1995. In an April 2003 referendum, Qatari voters approved a new constitution that officially granted women the right to vote and run for national office. The latest elections for Qatars Central Municipal Council were held in April 2007. Preparations for national elections for the new Advisory Council established by the constitution are underway.