Editing History of Qatar (section)

==Independence (1971–present)==
[[File:QatarUniversityEastView.jpg|thumb|Qatar's [[Qatar University|first university]] was opened in 1973.]]
Qatar declared its independence on 1 September 1971 and became an independent state on 3 September. When [[Ahmad bin Ali Al Thani|Ahmad bin Ali]] issued the formal announcement from his Swiss villa instead of from his palace in Doha, many Qataris were convinced that it was time for a change in leadership. On 22 February 1972, [[Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani|Khalifa bin Hamad]] [[1972 Qatari coup d'état|deposed]] Ahmad bin Ali whilst he was on a hunting trip in [[Iran]]. Khalifa bin Hamad had the tacit support of Al Thani and Britain, as well as the political, financial, and military support of Saudi Arabia.<ref name=cs/>

In contrast to his predecessor's policies, Khalifa bin Hamad cut family allowances and increased spending on social programs, including housing, health, education, and pensions. In addition, he filled many top government posts with close relatives.<ref name=cs/> In 1993, Khalifa bin Hamad remained the [[emir]], but his son, [[Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani|Hamad bin Khalifa]], the heir apparent and minister of defense, had taken over much of the day-to-day running of the country. The two consulted with each other on all matters of importance.<ref name=cs/>

In 1991, Qatar played a significant role in the [[Gulf War]], particularly during the [[Battle of Khafji]] in which Qatari tanks rolled through the streets of the town and provided fire support for [[Saudi Arabian National Guard]] units which were engaging [[Iraqi Army]] troops.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/inatl/longterm/fogofwar/archive/post013191_2.htm|title=Saudi Town Reclaimed|newspaper=Washington Post|date=1 February 1991|access-date=27 May 2015}}</ref> Qatar allowed coalition troops from Canada to use the country as an [[Canada Dry One|airbase]] to launch aircraft on [[Combat Air Patrol|CAP]] duty and also permitted air forces from the United States and France to operate in its territories.<ref name="cs"/>

[[File:Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani Senate of Poland.jpg|thumb|left|150px|Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani]]
On 27 June 1995, Hamad bin Khalifa deposed his father in a [[1995 Qatari coup d'état|bloodless coup]]. An [[1996 Qatari coup attempt|unsuccessful counter-coup]] was staged in 1996. The Emir and his father reconciled, though some supporters of the counter-coup remain in prison. The Emir announced his intention for Qatar to move toward democracy and permitted more liberal press and municipal elections as a precursor to expected parliamentary elections. A new constitution was approved via public referendum in April 2003 and enacted in June 2005.<ref name=bn/> Economic, [[Social issues|social]], and democratic reforms occurred in the following years. In 2003, a woman was appointed to the cabinet as [[minister of education]].

Qatar and Bahrain had disputes over the ownership of [[Hawar Islands]] since the mid-20th century.<ref>{{cite book|last=Guo|first=Rongxing|title=Territorial Disputes and Resource Management: A Global Handbook|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=z5Le627xQLgC|publisher=Nova Science Pub Inc|year=2007|page=149|isbn=978-1600214455}}</ref> In 2001, the [[International Court of Justice]] awarded Bahrain sovereignty over Hawar Islands while allotting Qatar sovereignty over smaller disputed islands and the Zubarah region in mainland Qatar.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.icj-cij.org/presscom/index.php?pr=234&pt=1&p1=6&p2=1|title=Maritime Delimitation and Territorial Questions between Qatar and Bahrain (Qatar v. Bahrain)|publisher=International Court of Justice|date=16 March 2001|access-date=1 February 2015|archive-date=20 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221120131336/https://www.icj-cij.org/presscom/index.php?pr=234&pt=1&p1=6&p2=1|url-status=dead}}</ref> During the trial, Qatar provided the court with 82 forged documents to substantiate their claims of sovereignty over the territories in question. These claims were withdrawn at a later stage after Bahrain discovered the forgeries.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.icj-cij.org/docket/files/87/5475.pdf|title=Maritime Delimitation and Territorial Questions between Qatar and Bahrain (Qatar v. Bahrain)|publisher=International Court of Justice|access-date=1 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150915162618/http://www.icj-cij.org/docket/files/87/5475.pdf|archive-date=15 September 2015|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

In 2003, Qatar served as the US Central Command headquarters and one of the main launching sites of the [[2003 invasion of Iraq|invasion of Iraq]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5437.htm |title=Qatar (01/10) |publisher=State.gov |access-date=28 March 2010}}</ref> In March 2005, a [[suicide attack|suicide bombing]] killed a British teacher at the Doha Players Theatre, shocking the country, which had not previously experienced acts of terrorism. The bombing was carried out by Omar Ahmed Abdullah Ali, an Egyptian resident in Qatar who had suspected ties to [[Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula]].<ref>{{cite news|author=Coman, Julian|title=Egyptian Suicide Bomber Blamed for Attack in Qatar|work=The Independent |date=21 March 2005}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/2005/03/25/cz_0325oxan_qatarattack.html|title=The Advent of Terrorism in Qatar|date=25 March 2005|work=Forbes|first=Oxford|last=Analytica}}</ref> In June 2013, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa stepped down as emir and transferred leadership to his son and heir Sheikh [[Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-23046307|title=Profile: Qatar Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani|publisher=bbc.com|date=25 June 2013|access-date=1 February 2015}}</ref>

As a means to manage the revenue gained from LNG sales, the [[Qatar Investment Authority]] was established in 2005.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-01-11/qatar-sovereign-wealth-fund-s-335-global-empire|title=The Tiny Gulf Country With a $335 Billion Global Empire|author=Mohammed Sergie|publisher=Bloomberg|date=11 January 2017|access-date=31 December 2018}}</ref> In 2008, the government launched [[Qatar National Vision 2030]], which provides a framework for Qatar's long-term development as well as identifying threats and solutions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.diwan.gov.qa/about-qatar/qatar-national-vision-2030?sc_lang=en|title=Qatar National Vision 2030|publisher=Amiri Diwan of the State of Qatar|access-date=31 December 2018}}</ref>

===Arab Spring and military involvement (2010–)===

[[File:Flag of Qatar in Libya.jpg|thumb|The flag of Qatar being hoisted in [[Libya]] during the civil war.]]
Qatar played a role in the [[revolutionary wave]] of [[Demonstration (people)|demonstrations]], protests, and civil wars in the [[Arab world]] collectively known as the [[Arab Spring]]. Having shifted from its traditional diplomatic role as a mediator, Qatar moved to support several transitional states and upheavals in the Middle East and [[North Africa]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.swp-berlin.org/fileadmin/contents/products/comments/2012C07_sbg.pdf|title=Qatar and the Arab Spring|author=Guido Steinberg|publisher=German Institute for International and Security Affairs|date=7 February 2012|access-date=21 May 2015}}</ref>

During the initial months of the Arab Spring, the country's most extensive media network, [[Al Jazeera Media Network|Al Jazeera]], helped mobilize Arab support and shaped the narratives of protests and demonstrations.<ref name="carnegiee">{{cite web|url=http://carnegieendowment.org/2014/09/24/qatar-and-arab-spring-policy-drivers-and-regional-implications|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140925170153/http://carnegieendowment.org/2014/09/24/qatar-and-arab-spring-policy-drivers-and-regional-implications|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 September 2014|title=Qatar and the Arab Spring: Policy Drivers and Regional Implications|publisher=Carnegie Endowment for International Peace|author=Kristian Coates Ulrichsen|date=24 September 2014|access-date=21 May 2015}}</ref> Qatar sent hundreds of ground troops to support the [[National Transitional Council]] during the 2011 [[Libyan civil war (2011)|Libyan civil war]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/oct/26/qatar-troops-libya-rebels-support |title=Qatar admits sending hundreds of troops to support Libya rebels|work=The Guardian|date=26 October 2011|access-date=20 November 2011 |last=Black|first=Ian|location=London}}</ref> The troops were primarily military advisers,<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle-east/qatari-military-advisers-on-the-ground-helping-libyan-rebels-get-into-shape/2011/05/11/AFZsPV1G_story.html | newspaper=The Washington Post | first=Portia | last=Walker | title=Qatari military advisers on the ground, helping Libyan rebels get into shape | date=13 May 2011}}</ref> and were sometimes labelled as "mercenaries" by the media.<ref>{{cite web|author=aira |url=http://www.turkishnews.com/en/content/2011/12/31/qatar-creates-anti-syria-mercenary-force-based-in-turkey/ |title=Qatar Creates Anti-Syria Mercenary Force based in Turkey |publisher=Turkishnews.com |date=2011-12-31 |access-date=2013-08-27}}</ref> Qatar also participated in the aerial campaign alongside several other coalition members.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/libya-unrest-summit.95v/ |title=Qatar, several EU states up for Libya action: diplomat |work=EU Business |date=19 March 2011 |access-date=26 March 2011}}</ref>

Qatar has taken a proactive role in the [[Syrian civil war]], which began in the Spring of 2011.<ref name="carnegiee"/> In 2012, Qatar announced they would begin arming and bankrolling the opposition.<ref>{{cite news|last=DeYoung|first=Karen|date=2 March 2012|title=Saudi, Qatari plans to arm Syrian rebels risk overtaking cautious approach favored by U.S|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/saudi-qatari-plans-to-arm-syrian-rebels-risk-overtaking-cautious-approach-favored-by-us/2012/03/01/gIQArWQflR_story.html|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=23 March 2012}}</ref> It was further reported that Qatar had funded the Syrian rebellion by "as much as $3 billion" over the first two years of the civil war.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/86e3f28e-be3a-11e2-bb35-00144feab7de.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/86e3f28e-be3a-11e2-bb35-00144feab7de.html |archive-date=10 December 2022 |url-access=subscription |title=Qatar bankrolls Syrian revolt with cash and arms |author=Roula Khalaf and Abigail Fielding Smith |newspaper=Financial Times |date=16 May 2013 |access-date=3 June 2013}} {{subscription required}}</ref>

Beginning in 2015, Qatar has participated in the [[Saudi-led intervention in the Yemeni civil war]] against the [[Houthis]] and forces loyal to former President [[Ali Abdullah Saleh]], who was deposed in the aftermath of the Arab Spring uprisings.<ref>"[https://edition.cnn.com/2015/03/26/middleeast/yemen-saudi-arabia-airstrikes/ Saudi-led coalition strikes rebels in Yemen, inflaming tensions in region]". [[CNN]]. 27 March 2015.</ref>
[[File:Tamim Almajd in Souq Waqif.jpg|thumb|The ''Tamim Almajd'' illustration (pictured here at [[Souq Waqif]]) has become a symbol of Qatari resistance during the [[Qatar diplomatic crisis]].]]

====Diplomatic crises (2014–2021)====
{{See also|Qatar diplomatic crisis}}
In March 2014, in protest of Qatar's alleged involvement in financing factions and political parties in ongoing Middle Eastern conflicts, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain recalled their ambassadors to Qatar.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2014/03/05/world/meast/gulf-qatar-ambassadors/ |title=Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain withdraw envoys from Qatar |publisher=CNN |date=5 March 2014 |access-date=4 December 2017}}</ref> The three countries returned their ambassadors in November of that year after an agreement was reached.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-gulf-summit-ambassadors/saudi-arabia-uae-and-bahrain-end-rift-with-qatar-return-ambassadors-idUSKCN0J00Y420141116|title=Saudi Arabia, UAE and Bahrain end rift with Qatar, return ambassadors|newspaper=Reuters|date=16 November 2014|access-date=4 December 2017}}</ref>

On 5 June 2017, several countries led by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt (collectively referred to as the 'Quartet') [[Qatar diplomatic crisis|severed ties]] with Qatar and enacted several punitive measures, such as closing air, land and sea borders to Qatar. Saudi Arabia also halted Qatari involvement in the ongoing war in Yemen.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/international/gulf-rift-deepens-saudi-suspends-qatar-troops-involvement-in-yemen-war-117060500280_1.html|title=Gulf rift deepens: Saudi suspends Qatar troops' involvement in Yemen war|publisher=Business Standard|date=5 June 2017|access-date=4 December 2017|newspaper=Business Standard India}}</ref> The Quartet justified their actions by alluding to alleged Qatari ties to 'terrorist groups' in the region.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-40155829|title=Four countries cut links with Qatar over 'terrorism' support|date=5 June 2017|work=BBC News|access-date=4 December 2017}}</ref> On 5 January 2021, almost four years after the beginning of the incident, it was announced that the two parties reached an agreement in a deal brokered by [[Kuwait]] and the United States.<ref>{{cite news |title=Saudi lifts Qatar blockade as breakthrough agreement eases Gulf crisis |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/saudi-arabia-lifts-blockade-qatar-breakthrough-agreement-eases-gulf-crisis-n1250102 |access-date=6 January 2021 |work=NBC News |language=en |archive-date=5 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105204838/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/saudi-arabia-lifts-blockade-qatar-breakthrough-agreement-eases-gulf-crisis-n1250102 |url-status=live }}</ref>