Russia–Qatar “Rapprochement”: A Tactical Move Driven by Geopolitical and Economic Concerns

... document contained no arms trade-related provisions. The crowning achievement of Russia–Qatar diplomacy in 2016 was announced in December, 2016, when QIA together with Glencore purchased a 19.5% stake in Rosneft, Russia’s largest state-owned oil company. However, pronouncing Russia and Qatar the homecoming couple of 2016 would be farfetched. It appears that the Syrian crisis is one of the key drivers behind the two countries’ recent “rapprochement,” but their interests in the Middle East remain polar. For Doha engaging ...