In a region stretching from Afghanistan to Gaza, where long-running conflicts continue to destabilise millions of lives, Qatar has renewed its call for inclusive political engagement—including with non-state actors—as the only realistic path toward lasting peace.
Speaking at the 23rd Doha Forum, Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani stressed that peace efforts cannot succeed if key players on the ground are excluded from negotiations.
He stated clearly: “You cannot resolve or reach a solution if you have no one speaking to non-state actors.”
Inclusive Dialogue Is Essential for Stability
Moderated by US journalist Tucker Carlson, the session highlighted how current regional conflicts—whether in Afghanistan, Palestine, or other flashpoints—require engagement with all parties involved, even those often dismissed or labelled controversial in Western political circles.
Sheikh Mohammed emphasised that Qatar’s mediation model is built on establishing direct communication channels with influential groups. This strategy, he said, has shaped Qatar’s diplomatic efforts for more than a decade.
Qatar’s Longstanding Mediation Role
Qatar’s involvement in mediation is not new. Its diplomatic channels with both Hamas and the Taliban were created at the request of the United States, Sheikh Mohammed noted.
Hamas Office in Doha
- The Hamas political office was moved to Doha in 2012.
- It serves strictly as a communication and coordination channel, primarily to:
- Facilitate ceasefire agreements
- Enable humanitarian aid delivery
- Coordinate international mediation efforts
Sheikh Mohammed clarified that the purpose was never political endorsement but maintaining a functional line of communication, which international mediators often rely upon during crises in Gaza.
Taliban Political Office
Similarly, the Taliban’s political office in Doha was opened in 2013, again at Washington’s request during the height of the group’s conflict with the United States and the former Afghan government.
This office later became the foundation for:
- Years of Afghan peace negotiations,
- The Doha Agreement,
- And ultimately the US military withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Why Neutral Platforms Matter
According to Sheikh Mohammed, Qatar’s unique diplomatic role has demonstrated that neutral platforms are essential for resolving conflicts involving fragmented or contested authorities.
He argued that many of these actors, regardless of political legitimacy, hold real influence on the ground, and ignoring them only prolongs instability.
Qatar Rejects Claims of Misused Aid in Gaza
Responding to accusations that Qatari humanitarian funds for Gaza were diverted to Hamas, Sheikh Mohammed issued a strong rebuttal.
He said Qatar’s aid processes are fully transparent and conducted with direct US oversight.
“All our aid, financing, and all our support went to the people in Gaza, and it was a very transparent process that the United States is very aware of,” he said.
Qatar’s Message: Engagement, Not Isolation
The prime minister’s remarks underscore Qatar’s consistent position: engagement with all sides is not optional but necessary for effective diplomacy.
As conflicts continue to evolve across the region, Qatar believes that ignoring non-state actors will only deepen crises rather than resolve them.
With global powers reevaluating their approaches to Middle East conflicts, Doha’s message at the forum was clear—lasting peace requires dialogue, even with the most difficult actors.