It's the World Cup, but you still don't know about Qatar?

November 20, 2022

The 22nd FIFA World Cup opens

Qatar

Rushed into the sight of countless people

Even people who don't know this country

You will be shocked by its wealth.

$220 billion invested in preparations for this World Cup

For the previous host country Russia

16th World Cup

(Investment and benefits of the host countries of the past six World Cups, drawn by @郑伯蓉&杨宁/Planet Research Institute)

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It is not large in area

The land area is about 11,500 square kilometers

Only equivalent to 0.7 Beijing City

In the turbulent Arabian Peninsula and Persian Gulf

Like a rocking boat

(Qatar is located on the Arabian Peninsula. Qatar is a small peninsula in the northeast of the Arabian Peninsula that extends deep into the Persian Gulf. Map by @吴昕恬/Planet Research Institute)

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Its population is also surprisingly small.

Qatar has only 330,000 citizens

So few that they can't even fill all eight stadiums of this World Cup.

(Lusail Stadium, can accommodate 80,000 people, picture source @Visual China)

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It is rich and smart

But at the same time

But it is also full of crises and fragile

Is this a

What kind of country?

Why does it cost so much?

Hosting the World Cup?

01

Fascinating treasure

- Why is Qatar rich? -

Shape of Qatar

The locals compare it to a hand stretched out in prayer.

There was only desolation in my palm

Most of the area is covered by desert Gobi

90% of the area is less than 50 meters above sea level

(Sketch of Qatar's location and major cities, drawn by @吴昕恬/Planet Research Institute)

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Small and barren Qatar

It was not until 1971 that it became an independent country

But in just a few decades

The desolation on the surface of the earth was completely overturned

All this stems from the fact that there are a lot of treasures hidden in the strata.

Oil & Gas

(Please watch horizontally, night view of Doha, capital of Qatar, picture source: Visual China)

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Qatar’s territory

Proven oil reserves rank 13th in the world

The country ranks third in the world in terms of proven natural gas reserves

After Russia and Iran

The area of ​​these two countries

They are 1,484 and 143 times that of Qatar respectively.

(Comparison of oil and natural gas reserves in the Gulf countries, map by @郑伯蓉&吴昕恬/Planet Research Institute)

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Qatar has long been a place of few people.

Only used as seasonal pasture

Attracting nomadic tribes on the Arabian Peninsula

Grazing here after the rain

(Camels were once the main means of transportation in Qatar, image source: @Visual China)

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But the huge wealth brought by energy

Qatar has attracted more than 2 million foreigners

Large construction projects can be initiated

9,830 km of roads

Connecting the whole of Qatar

More than 170 international routes and four major ports

Connecting the world

(Hamad International Airport, picture source @Visual China)

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There was a lack of water here.

The average annual precipitation is less than 80 mm

(Qatar's desert sea, picture source: @Visual China)

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But thermal power plants driven by oil and natural gas

Providing electricity to the whole country

And drive desalination plants

Complete drinking water supply

(Power plant in the desert, image source: Visual China)

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Originally this place was not suitable for agricultural development.

Leading to food shortage

(Desert shrubs, image source @Visual China)

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But now, relying on wealth and dense transportation networks

90% of food supply

All can be done through import

(Waqif Old Market, picture source @Visual China)

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Qatar’s living environment was originally poor

The hot weather has been here for a long time.

Especially from April to September every year

The maximum temperature can reach 50 degrees Celsius

After the 17th century

Relying on the fine pearls of the bay

People started the pearl trade

This is why there are scattered settlements in Qatar.

(Zubara Fortress in northern Qatar. Thousands of people lived in Zubarah during its heyday. Image source: Visual China)

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But now

Skyscrapers rise from the desert

Doha, the capital of Qatar, has become an international metropolis

Hosted the 15th Asian Games

World Trade Organization meetings, United Nations Climate Conference, etc.

Many international events and conferences

(Doha, the capital of Qatar, picture source: Visual China)

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Even buried in the desert

Mineral crystals called "desert roses"

(Desert Rose Stone, image source @Visual China)

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Now it has broken through the surface

The "incarnation" is a building with giant discs interlaced with each other

As the National Museum of Qatar

Becoming a national cultural symbol

(Please watch in horizontal mode, Qatar National Museum, image source @Visual China)

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However, energy is a treasure

It is also a powder keg that triggers war.

Kuwait, also in the Persian Gulf

The country is similar in size to Qatar

In 1990, in order to compete for oil resources

Iraq launched a war to annex Kuwait

Directly triggered the Gulf War

(During the Gulf War, Kuwait lost more than 50 million tons of oil, causing the largest oil resource destruction in human history. Image source: Visual China)

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After the Cold War

The Persian Gulf is a "powder keg"

As a small country

Is Qatar safe?

02

Dangerous treasure

- Is Qatar safe? -

In 2020, according to the Numbeo Security Index

Qatar was once rated the safest country in the world

(In Doha, the capital of Qatar, people held a lively balloon parade to celebrate the arrival of Eid al-Fitr. The Numbeo safety index includes the increase in crime, whether it is safe to be alone, house damage, robbery, vehicle theft, violence, etc. Picture source @Visual China)

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Take the security of this World Cup as an example

United States, France, United Kingdom, Italy

Türkiye, Pakistan and many other countries gathered in Qatar

Air force fighters and naval vessels of various countries

Anti-drone teams, anti-explosive devices

Police, special forces, bomb detection experts, etc.

Will provide security assistance for this World Cup throughout

In the conflict-ridden Persian Gulf region

Qatar's National Security

It is not just about maintaining domestic defense capabilities

It is about how to cooperate with other countries.

(The Turkish Navy's TCG Burgazada light frigate strengthens security during the Qatar World Cup. Image source: @Visual China)

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first

Is to obtain protection from a powerful country

Mid-19th century

Al Thani family

Established the Emirate of Qatar

And led the tribes on the Qatar Peninsula

Freed from invasions by surrounding emirates

In order to avoid being annexed by neighboring powers

The Al-Thani family chose to cooperate with the British

On the condition of maintaining the safety of British shipping routes in the Persian Gulf

In exchange for British protection

(Wahhabi Mosque, also known as the Chief Mosque, picture source @Visual China)

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1939

Oil discovered in Qatar's Dukhan region

Taking advantage of the US focus on the Persian Gulf

The Al-Thani family also cooperated with the United States

Gained power to rival Britain

With the decline of Britain after World War II

Qatar gradually achieves independence

Became a constitutional monarchy

The head of state is hereditary from the Al-Thani family

(Qatar Petroleum Factory, picture source @Visual China)

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1990s

With the outbreak of the Gulf War

Qatar and the United States have established a close alliance

Allowing the United States to conduct military operations within its borders

The two sides began to cooperate in the military field

and jointly signed a defense cooperation agreement

(The USS Chinook and the Qatari Navy held a joint naval exercise in the Persian Gulf, image source: @Visual China)

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Today, Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar

It has become the largest US military base in the Middle East

Controls the air and sea space from the Eastern Mediterranean to Afghanistan

Some Russian scholars refer to Qatar as

“An easily overlooked center of power”

(The B-52 strategic bomber developed by the United States arrived at the Al Udeid Air Base, picture source @wikimedia commons)

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Secondly

Is to obtain oil sovereignty

The early days of oil extraction

The overall development of Middle Eastern oil-producing countries is lagging behind

They don’t have the power to set oil prices.

Small amount of oil revenue

Land concessions and taxes from oil extraction alone

On the other hand, Western Petroleum

The "Seven Sisters of Oil" alliance

Drilling heavily in the Middle East to capture most of the oil profits

And unilaterally continue to lower oil prices

Relying on cheap oil to monopolize the entire international market

Let the income of oil-producing countries continue to decline

(Oil drilling platform in the Persian Gulf, image source: @Visual China)

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Unequal trade

Stimulated the competition for oil rights among countries

Qatar also needs to gain oil sovereignty

But it does not have the strength to directly compete with

1960

Oil-rich countries in the Middle East begin to form alliances

Together they form the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)

Qatar soon joined the camp

(OPEC member countries and proven oil reserves, map by @Zheng Borong & Yang Ning/Planet Research Institute)

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When the Fourth Middle East War broke out in 1973

OPEC announces oil embargo, suspends exports

This move directly led to an increase in international oil prices.

Triggered the first oil crisis

OPEC controls oil supply

Becoming an international political force that cannot be ignored

Oil-producing countries took the opportunity to buy back shares in oil companies

Qatar also completed the nationalization of oil

(During the 1973 oil crisis, drivers in Boston, USA pushed their cars to a gas station. Image source: @Visual China)

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Furthermore

To enhance your own value and influence

Relying on strong financial strength

Qatar provides aid, investment and other means

Cooperation with Iran, Lebanon, Sudan and other countries

Gradually established extensive diplomatic relations

(Natural gas fields between Qatar and Iran, image source @NASA, tagged @吴昕恬/Planetary Research Institute)

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Qatar also created Al Jazeera

Not only does it have a powerful communications satellite network

It also recruited high-quality media workers trained by the BBC

This enables us to produce news content at an international level.

Becoming the most influential Arab media in the world

Al Jazeera often focuses on sensitive and hot issues in the region.

Qatar expressed support through Al Jazeera and other media channels

Also established ties with Afghanistan

(Qatar's Al Jazeera reported that its reporter was killed while covering the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Image source: @Visual China)

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2017

Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries have severed diplomatic ties with Qatar

An economic blockade and material embargo has been imposed on Qatar

The Arab League also announced that Qatar would be excluded

This has caused the most serious diplomatic crisis in the Middle East in recent years.

Then-US President Trump said

"The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and 50 other countries said

Will take a tough stance against countries that sponsor extremism

All clues point to Qatar."

However

Iran quickly delivers food aid to Qatar

Opening Iranian airspace to Qatar Airways

Qatari leader begins visit to Europe, Asia, Africa

Signed cooperation agreements in many fields including energy, investment, food, etc.

The crisis was overcome through extensive diplomatic activities.

(Doha West Bay City Center, the fifth skyscraper from the left is the Doha World Trade Center, picture source @Visual China)

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2021

As the situation in Afghanistan changes suddenly

Qatar not only helped the United States evacuate 123,000 people in two weeks

It also helps expatriates from Western countries and personnel from international organizations

and journalists safely evacuated from Afghanistan

Playing a significant role in international affairs

Qatar survives between big powers

Difficult to protect oneself

It uses its financial strength to build broad cooperation

Then, through mediation in regional and international conflicts

Continuously enhance our value and influence

(Banana Island and Doha's skyline, picture source: Visual China)

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Qatar was often looked down upon by the outside world in the past

As one U.S. senator said

“Arab oil producers…

Like an antelope living in a jungle full of wild beasts."

This view has been broken

Because in the barren and cruel Arabian Peninsula

Even the cute little fox

He has also been trained to be an excellent hunter.

They hide in natural crevices and caves.

Relying on sensitive vision, hearing and smell

Waiting for the opportunity to catch prey

(Lu's sand fox living in Qatar, picture source: Visual China)

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Qatar, a country not ravaged by war

Achieved stable development

It has become the world's largest exporter of liquefied natural gas

The country has abundant natural gas resources

It can also be supplied continuously for more than 100 years

(Qatar liquefied natural gas tanker, picture source @Visual China)

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Although Qatar has abundant energy and flexible maneuvers

But some deeper crisis

Make it uneasy

03

Fragile treasure

- Why is Qatar hosting the World Cup? -

For resource-rich countries

Resources can easily become a burden on economic development

The “resource curse”

In 2016

Global oil and gas markets are sluggish

GDP of oil-producing countries is falling rapidly

Saudi Arabia, the world's largest crude oil exporter

Since then, the fiscal deficit has continued for many years.

Qatar is also facing economic contraction

(Qatar GDP growth from 2001 to 2020, map by @郑伯蓉/Planet Research Institute)

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At the same time, relying on the wealth brought by energy

Qatar has established a good social welfare system

Citizens of the country enjoy free education, free medical care, and tax exemption policies

High-paying public sector jobs, generous state subsidies, and more

"The Qataris just got off their boats and camels.

I got directly into the German luxury Mercedes-Benz car."

Qatari hereditary monarchy

It also maintains a high welfare policy for citizens.

(Wooden boats and skyscrapers in Doha, quoted from "Qatar: A Modern History", picture source @Visual China)

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Qatar needs sufficient and lasting financial resources

Continue to enhance its international status

Internally, we will ensure the long-term well-being of future generations of citizens.

Therefore, Qatar has already started economic transformation.

After the high income from oil and gas

Qatar frequently buys stakes in foreign companies

In 2019, Qatar Investment Authority

Controls more than $300 billion in assets worldwide

In Rosneft, Hollywood, Porsche

Agricultural Bank of China, etc.

A place among many companies

The stake in British Airways parent company is as high as 20%.

Became the largest shareholder of Volkswagen

(Qatar Foundation Headquarters Building, image source @Visual China)

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Football is the world's most popular sport

Has unparalleled commercial value

Qatar attaches great importance to

France hosted the 1998 World Cup

Obtained considerable economic benefits

Negative GDP growth

It also turned from negative to positive after hosting the World Cup

December 2010

Qatar is eager to achieve economic transformation

Won the right to host the 2022 World Cup

And began to enter the European football market

Became the main sponsor of FC Barcelona

(Qatar Airways logo on Barcelona Club jersey, image source @Visual China)

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as well as

Acquisition of Paris Saint-Germain Football Club

(Paris Saint-Germain Football Club, picture source @Visual China)

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Neil Ivers, a football investment expert, once said

Qatar hopes to acquire

Controls 20% of the international sports market

However

Qatar's purpose of hosting the World Cup

Not just in the World Cup

It is an opportunity to diversify the economy.

Seemingly wealthy and willful World Cup investment

Qatar has spent more than ten years preparing for the competition.

Improved public transportation, hotels, sports stadiums, etc.

A lot of infrastructure

(Aerial view of Isola Dana artificial island in Doha, Qatar, image source: @Visual China)

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Gained through international tourism

Over $120 billion in revenue

(The World Cup atmosphere in Doha Old Market gradually becomes stronger, picture source: @Visual China)

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In addition to the economic dividends that have already appeared

Qatar also took advantage of the World Cup's attention

Showing a bright national image

In the vast desert

Modern art sculptures stand

(Please watch horizontally, minimalist art master Richard Serra's steel plate sculpture "East-West", picture source @wikimedia commons)

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Museum of Islamic Art by the Sea

Collects Islamic art from around the world

(Museum of Islamic Art, image source @Visual China)

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A little-known country

Becoming the global sports focus

(Al Bait Stadium in Qatar, image source: Visual China)

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A diversifying economy

Qatar will continue to reduce its energy dependence

(Ratio of natural resource rent to Qatar's GDP, map by @Zheng Borong/Planet Research Institute)

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but

Qatar World Cup has more than just a bright side

The Guardian reported

Qatar is in the process of building its World Cup stadiums

More than 6,500 foreign workers died

This is also the Qatar World Cup

One of the important reasons for being boycotted in many countries

(Fans hold banners calling for a boycott of the Qatar World Cup, picture source: @Visual China)

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Foreign workers issues

It also reveals Qatar’s more hidden “vulnerability”

The country’s population size is not in line with its development

(Population composition of Qatar, map by @Yang Ning/Planet Research Institute)

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“The number of original citizens is very small…

Make Qataris a kind of civic aristocracy

Raised to the level of immigrant workers, European and American residents

Even above other Arabs"

The emergence of national development

Many problems such as resource depletion and increased engineering costs

It is also attributed to the sharp increase in the number of foreign population.

(The empty alleys of Doha, quoted from "Qatar: A Modern History", picture source @Visual China)

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Qatar hopes to have more dynamic innovative enterprises

However, most technical jobs are held by foreigners

There are not enough entrepreneurial talents in the country

Economic protection policies that favor local families

Qatar’s “Ease of Doing Business” Index Continues to Decline

Problems like these in Qatar's development process

Economic transformation is not enough

(Qatar's ease of doing business ranking from 2009 to 2020, map by @Zheng Borong/Planet Research Institute)

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Abundant energy

Qatar has created a miracle of the rise of a small country

But it also put it into a more bizarre situation

Facing a more hidden dilemma

(Sunrise in Doha, image source: Visual China)

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now

Qatar opens its palm to the Persian Gulf

A handful of treasure has appeared

Charming and dangerous

Like the philosophical words of the poet

“The best things don’t come alone

It comes with everything.”

(Persian Gulf at night, quoted from Tagore above, picture source @NASA, marked @吴昕恬/Planetary Research Institute)

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This article was created by

Written by | Ding Ding

Editor｜Director

Design | Zheng Borong & Yang Ning

Image | Daytime Sleep Map | Wu Xintian

Proofread by Xia Ya & Chen Jingyi

Expert review

Professor Wang Suolao, Institute of Asian and African Studies, Peking University

Zhang Bo, Assistant Research Fellow, Institute of West Asian and African Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences

【References】You can scroll up and down to view

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