Qatar–Türkiye relations during the embargo of Qatar: a case study in derivative power

Abstract

Structurally, Qatar and Türkiye face different International Relations challenges—Turkey is a regional middle power with significant hard power resources, while Qatar is an ambitious small state with relatively scarce military capabilities. Nevertheless, the Arab Uprisings of 2011 and the shift from unipolarity to multipolarity provided the context for a dramatic acceleration in bilateral relations. In the decade and a half since those tumultuous events sent shockwaves across the Arab world, this relationship flourished to the extent that it can be located firmly on the alignment end of the alignment-rapprochement-discord-friction continuum. This paper assesses the extent that the concept of derivative power—whereby a small state derives power by convincing a larger state to take actions that boost its interests—played a role in driving forward this relationship during the embargo of Qatar between 2017 and 2021.