Один из самых крупных и влиятельных. Джейнс называет Аль-Джазиру "наиболее популярным спутниковым каналом новостей в арабском мире."
"The emirate is unique among the smaller GCC states in sharing the Wahhabi brand of Sunni Islam with Saudi Arabia. Nevertheless, Hamad has pursued a bullish policy towards Saudi Arabia, which sought to fend off the inevitable Saudi tendency to dominate its smaller neighbours. In 1992, a minor border clash took place and in 1994, Qatar reported a series of minor skirmishes on the two countries' disputed border. Since his coup, Hamad has sought to pursue an independent foreign policy aimed at developing good ties with all regional powers, a strategy that has often angered the Saudis. He has, however, visited King Fahd and attempted to ensure that tensions do not escalate out of control. His present independent position in the volatile political-military constellation between Iran, Iraq and the GCC has put severe strains on Qatar's position. Its continuation of the MENA Summit in Doha further contributed to the negative feelings of several Arab states, resulting in diplomatic rows and media wars with several leading Arab states, such as Egypt and Syria. The freezing of relations with Israel and the resultant settlement of the dispute have eased these problems with Egypt, marked by the visit of the emir to Cairo in March 1998.
As Qatar improves its relations with Egypt a dispute with Jordan has arisen. The Jordanian government has complained of the al-Jazeera channel's unfavourable coverage of Jordanian affairs and the role of King Abdullah II. Although this episode proved to be little more than a storm in a tea cup, this Qatar based satellite television station is the most popular in the Arab world and often carries very controversial items of news, interviews and commentaries.
Qatar's relations with Morocco suffered a setback in July 2000 amid unfavourably reports in each other's media. Morocco also accused Qatar of buying arms from the UK, ostensibly for Algeria, but allegedly destined for the Polisario, which seeks independence for Western Sahara from Morocco. Rabat was also angered by the al-Jazeera television channel's coverage of the Western Sahara dispute. In March 2001, Tunisia recalled its ambassador because of al- Jazeera's unfavourable coverage of Tunisia's human rights record and for giving members of the Tunisian opposition airtime.
Al-Jazeera's ability to antagonise Arab rulers remains unrivalled. Kuwait has complained that the TV station - reportedly set up with a US$50 million subsidy granted by Sheikh Hamad himself - soft-peddles on Iraq, leading to the closure of the station's Kuwait City office on at least two occasions. Saudi Arabia has also let Doha know of its annoyance at al-Jazeera's regular coverage of Europe-based Saudi dissidents.
At the MILIPOL exhibition of internal state security, police equipment, industrial site security and civil defence, held in Doha from 20-23 November, it was noticeable that Iraqi Interior Minister Muhammad Zimam Abd al-Razzaq visited the exhibition, while Israel, which was represented at the last two MILIPOL exhibitions, was not present.
Qatar has clearly indicated that it does not support the idea of using oil as a weapon by cutting supplies to influence the West to exert pressure on Israel."
(Jane's Sentinel Security Assessment - The Gulf States - 11, 28-May-2002)
