Soft power What is behind Qatar's role as a mediator?

Qatari minister Lolwah Al Khater visits Gaza

-  Patrick Wintour

Why does Qatar mediate in so many conflicts? 

Many countries in the Middle East aspire to the role of mediators – Egypt, Oman and Kuwait among them – but Qatar presents itself as the region’s primary problem solver and advocate of dialogue. It has been active in Ukraine, Lebanon, Sudan, Iran, Afghanistan and Gaza, in the process hosting the leadership of the Taliban and the political wing of Hamas among others.

Observers say Qatar takes on this role because, as a small but fabulously wealthy country built on vast supplies of liquid gas, it needs to make itself indispensable to the international community and protected from unwelcome interventions by its larger neighbours, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The 2017- 21 boycott of Qatar led by Saudi Arabia showed it has good reasons to be fearful.

Is there opposition to its role in the Israel-Hamas conflict?