Qatar: Section 3 - Analysis

摘要

Overview. Located on the southern shore of the Persian Gulf, the tiny emirate of Qatar remains a key Western ally in the Middle East. Qatar's strategic importance is predicated on the abundance of natural gas reserves, the world's third largest. Qatar is a member of the 11-nation Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and is a key economic player in one of the world's political hot spots. Because it is a significant producer of both oil and natural gas, Qatar is one of the richest countries in the Arab world, alongside Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.