The UAE and Qatar are intensifying their competition for influence over the Taliban.
Author: Ahmad Saidi, Afghanistan and regional analyst (Switzerland), especially for Sangar
There is no doubt that Qatar has been supporting the southern Taliban - Kandaharis and Helmandis - for many years. The UAE has not been very active in these games. However, the UAE has recently invested heavily in the Sirajuddin Haqqani group. This means that the Haqqani supporters will be good partners for the UAE, and the Kandaharis and Helmandis for Qatar!
But we should not forget that both countries - Qatar and the UAE - are very close to the US and receive instructions from them from time to time.
In any case, I will try to explain the history of the conflict between Qatar and the UAE in the first part of this article, and then look at the role of the Taliban in this rivalry and its subsequent results.
The political differences between the leadership of Qatar and the UAE are due to several complex factors, which can be divided into several main categories:
1 - Ideological and political differences: Qatar supports Islamic movements such as the Muslim Brotherhood, while the UAE strongly opposes such groups and sees them as a threat to regional stability.
2 - Foreign policy and international relations: Qatar pursues an independent foreign policy and takes US signals into account in its foreign policy, and has close relations with Iran and Turkey, which are seen as threats to the interests of the UAE and its allies in the region, including Saudi Arabia.
3 - Media influence: Al Jazeera, funded by the Qatari government, is known for its programs and news that are critical of some Arab countries, especially the UAE and Saudi Arabia. This has increased tensions between the two countries.
4 - Economic competition: Both countries seek to play an important role in the regional and global economy. This competition in sectors such as the aviation industry, international investment, and infrastructure development has somehow led to increased tensions.
5 – Gulf Crisis - 2017: In June 2017, the UAE, along with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Egypt, severed diplomatic and economic ties with Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorism and interfering in the internal affairs of other countries. The crisis severely strained relations between the two countries and continued for some time despite diplomatic efforts to resolve it.
These factors, along with other regional and global issues, have created political tensions between Qatar and the UAE that continue to this day.
And regarding the rivalry and closeness with the Taliban between the UAE and Qatar:
The rivalry between Qatar and the UAE over the Taliban has become more pronounced since the group took power in Afghanistan in August 2021. Both countries seek to expand their influence in Afghanistan for different reasons and see the Taliban as a key player in this regard.
Qatar has long maintained close ties with the Taliban. The Taliban’s political office in Doha, Qatar, has served as a conduit between the group and the international community since 2013. Qatar also played a key role in the negotiations that led to the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan. The country has sought to maintain and expand its influence in Afghanistan through diplomatic engagement and humanitarian aid.
The UAE has also sought to establish close ties with the Taliban through the Haqqani network. The country aims to strengthen its presence in Afghanistan through the Haqqani network by offering financial assistance for development and by establishing economic and trade relations. The UAE has had close ties with previous Afghan governments in the past and is seeking to continue those ties with the Taliban.
Overall, the rivalry between Qatar and the UAE over the Taliban is part of a wider competition for influence in the region, with the UAE now backing the Haqqani network. Qatar supports the Kandahari group, with both countries seeking to gain a dominant position in Afghanistan and using the country as a base to increase their influence in the region.
