The Türkiye‐Qatar Partnership: From Ottoman Roots to Strategic Alliance

As Qatar, a small country in a strategic location, faced a pressure campaign from Gulf states in 2017, Türkiye expanded its military presence and provided support that proved crucial to Doha's ability to overcome the crisis. This demonstrated Türkiye's new grand strategy, its capacity to project influence into the Gulf, and its status as a rising power. How did Ankara and Doha build a strategic partnership? This article contends that the bilateral ties are rooted in shared heritage and mutual interests. The study traces the relationship from the Ottoman administration of the Gulf through the transition to the modern republic and its neutral posture during much of the 20th century. From there, the ascendance of the Justice and Development Party led to a transformation of Türkiye's capacity for regional influence. The analysis shows that while historical legacy and common identity provided the foundation for trust between Türkiye and Qatar, strategic priorities through Türkiye's new grand strategy catalyzed the transition from cooperation to a high level of integration. This article is part of a series guest edited by Hamdullah Baycar and Betul Dogan‐Akkas, based on the Gulf Studies Symposium organized by the Gulf International Forum, April 11–12, 2025, at Georgetown University in Washington.