How Qatar is Trying to Become the Switzerland of the Middle East

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Writing by Sam Denby and Tristan Purdy
Editing by Alexander Williard
Lead Motion Design by Max Moser
Motion Design by Sara Stoltman, Derek Brown
Audio and Music by Manni Simon, Donovan Bullen
Additional Editing by José Gámez
Thumbnail by Simon Buckmaster
Supervising Producers Graham Haerther, Travis Southerland
References
[1] carnegieendowment.org/sada/77120
[2] www.brookings.edu/articles/th...
[3] www.bbc.com/news/world-middle...
[4] foreignpolicy.com/2020/12/11/...
[5] fanack.com/gulf-cooperation-c...
[6] www.newyorker.com/news/daily-...
[7] www.wsj.com/world/middle-east...
[8] theconversation.com/gaza-war-...
[9] repository.library.georgetown...

[@Wendoverproductions]

A couple of points: 1) Nowhere in this video did we suggest that Qatar is, in fact, diplomatically neutral. The video is about what they're aspiring to be and how they're going about that. 2) A substantial portion of the video is devoted to discussing how true "neutrality" is almost impossible in diplomatic contexts. 3) When discussing "neutrality" in this video, we phrase it as (verbatim) "an interpretation or neutrality" or "their perception of neutrality." We never characterize it as our or an outside observer's perception of neutrality. 4) When discussing Al Jazeera's reputation, we were careful to phrase it in a comparative manner. They are *more* trustworthy than most media outlets in the Middle East, largely since most media outlets in the region are state-controlled, whereas Al Jazeera is state-owned with only indirect state influence. 5) While I understand critique about not discussing the Kafala system, we chose not to discuss it since it is largely irrelevant to the topic of the country's diplomatic strategy and well-known considering it was the core critique of FIFA's decision to allow Qatar to host the World Cup. I understand why some might consider this an omission regardless, but I wanted to clarify to assure that it has nothing to do with avoiding critique of Qatar and its human rights violations (in fact, we've discussed this very topic in other videos.)

[@GeoWeird]

This is an excellent video. Don’t give into the haters.

[@MrWuggles]

(having not finished the video yet) I appreciate the clarifications, but I hope this video isn't an attempt to jump into the geopolitics KZbin space. There's already plenty of content and geopolitics on KZbin has been oversaturated for a while. Keep it up with the logistics/plane videos!

[@korakys]

Oman is the Middle Eastern country most diplomatically similar to Switzerland.

[@AL-lh2ht]

dude pin this

[@PXAbstraction]

Hamas is not a "movement", it's a terrorist organization masquerading as some form of representative government. Call it what it is.

[@bababababababa6124]

Only difference is Switzerland ACTUALLY pays its foreign workers

[@whard9961]

real fkn original bud

[@azumishimizu1880]

Look at the Swiss crime rate. Very sad.

[@adinfinitum000]

Also doesn't fund islamic terrorists.

[@nealrigga6969]

… and if you look above me you see two knuckleheads 😂 One of them deleted his comment but he said that Switzerland’s crime rate is lower than Qatar’s because they pay their foreign workers… that is delusion to the next level

[@WanderingExistence]

USA funds Zïönïst têrrôîsm​@@adinfinitum000

[@callumsomerset1107]

3:49 “rain here is measured in millimeters” Sam rain everywhere is measured in millimetres

[@MsEyelinered]

No, it’s measured in CM or inches. Duh.

[@JacobSmith-fv1cw]

@@MsEyelineredNo, it’s measured in millimetres and he also said less than a CM of rain but the graphic said 74mm which is 7.4CM

[@megaking460]

@@Fr3nchFlagHere in Germany we use millimetres, idk bout the rest of the world really

[@Mar1s3z]

@@Fr3nchFlag Bro... South East Asian countries measure rain by millimeters. If you call that region dry then the ocean is basically a desert.

[@johnlynch1353]

As an American I can firmly say that is wrong. freedom units baby😂

[@midnightanimal4598]

"The art of good business is being a good middleman."

[@pauljones9150]

This is a good quote 😮 Where is it from?

[@user-ru1xc4qf4r]

@@pauljones9150 It's from the film Layer Cake

[@mhyzon1]

“War is good for business.” “Peace is good for business.” - Rules of Acquisition 34 & 35

[@williamzhu7845]

@@mhyzon1Great DS9 reference 😆😆

[@jon9103]

Indeed, in a sense, every business is a middleman between its customers and its suppliers.

[@tomalexander4327]

The comment section is certainly good for Wendovers engagement figures.

[@Ghost_PM11]

Sadly, not so good for their credibility.

[@elon6131]

Yeahhh!!! engagement!!!

[@BlackHawkTejas]

​@@Ghost_PM11Exactly! There will be one point people will Just stop watching their videos etc...

[@therealking6202]

​​@@Ghost_PM11Not at all (not good for their credibility). There's some major state backed propaganda in this video. It's sad when you see a trusted brand jump the shark. I don't think I can ever trust Wendover again....This was FAR from independent journalism .

[@GrigRP]

​@@Ghost_PM11Why?

[@korakys]

One doesn't _try_ to become neutral like Switzerland. Switzerland's neutrality is achieved through the subtle art of _not trying._ In the mid east it is Oman who is like Switzerland. Oman doesn't really try to do anything, but is quite happy to act as a neutral meeting ground for others. Qatar has actively backed sides in various wars, like in Libya. Although it does seem to be turning away from this strategy as these sorts of wars seldom have outright winners.

[@vigilantcosmicpenguin8721]

I like your point. The very existence of Qatar is built around trying very hard.

[@adarshmohapatra5058]

I like Oman, it's a nice country

[@artman12]

Qatar actively supports the Islamist sides in conflicts throughout the Middle East and the wider world. It’s in no way “neutral”.

[@artman12]

Qatar always supports the Isla ist side in conflicts throughout the Middle East and the world. It’s not “neutral”.

[@monty58]

Hell, having a US mitary presence is choosing sides in some way. What Qatar is trying to do is become the diplomats and the diplomatic hub of the region, which is probably a much bigger deal.

[@TheinnerCircl3]

Hard not to be wealthy when you have millions of indentured servants as "workers"

[@johnproduction4430]

lmaooo keep pushing keep trying 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@the-letter_s]

@@johnproduction4430 what's it like living in the southeastern United States, circa 1860's?

[@waynejohnson1786]

That’s not why they’re rich 😂

[@TheGahta]

You say potato i say poslavery

[@MetalchipCovers]

Same story with the UAE, this stuff Ain't exclusive with Qatar (not the disprove anything you said 😀)

[@aidenhall8593]

“that they could brush shoulders in the supermarket is bazarre” I see what you did there

[@voltsp288]

Bazzare is kind of similar to a Hindi word meaning market

[@beback_]

@@voltsp288 That was literally the joke

[@jonathanodude6660]

@@voltsp288 "bazzare/bazarre" isnt a word. the joke was that what sam actually said ("bizarre") is similar to the word for a middle eastern market in english ("bazaar"), while talking about a supermarket in the middle east.

[@lzh4950]

@@voltsp288 It's similar to the Malay word for 'market' too ( _pasar_ ) while in SE Asia the Chinese word for 'market' is transliterated from there (巴刹) (in mainland China it's called 市场/場 instead)

[@DRDJGHOST]

I would classify Qatar as diplomatic rather than neutral. Qatar does not officially recognize Israel, yet it recognizes the Taliban in Afghanistan.

[@sirajnakhuda5446]

They do not officially recognise the Taliban

[@moej93]

Yeah the Taliban are legitimate government while the state of Israel is an occupation force helped by the west. and they are a left over of the colonization era

[@liamcluett6203]

It’s complicated. Do they recognize the Taliban as the official government? No. But they are one of 16 countries to have a diplomatic mission in Kabul

[@raeeznjr4218]

Qatar doesn't recognize genocidal maniacs. One would assume it's a good thing.

[@yefimk]

Stupid ​@@raeeznjr4218

[@user-wd7jo6st2j]

Neutral is a bit of a strong word… they clearly have a certain propensity towards certain actors…

[@FortuneZer0]

Having an agenda of your own doesnt mean you arent neutral.

[@the-letter_s]

so does Switzerland, but are you calling them out on that too?

[@FortuneZer0]

@@the-letter_s I am swiss and right now we are being sold out by the cunts of our own goverment.

[@zakr1187]

Who?

[@waynejohnson1786]

Yep, America

[@TGX03]

I do understand your intention with the comparison to Switzerland is to show that Qatar wants to be a neutral powerhouse, however Switzerland's neutrality is vastly different. Ignoring the fact that Swiss neutrality is currently changing because of the war un Ukraine, Siwtzerland was always neutral in the sense that they wanted to be completely left out of anything and only handle the money of everyone. They never really got into international diplomacy, and for example they would never alloe a foreign military base or HQ of a terrorist organisation in their country.

[@johnlynch1353]

The clear counter argument to that is the Switzerland made itself economically/financially indispensable the same way Qatar made its self diplomatically indispensable. Sure they might not have unsavory individuals living in their country, running corrupt organizations from their land or but they do, or at least did have those type of peoples money, sitting in their banks, funding, and being used to maintain those organizations.

[@moesifasdasd4151]

Switzerland invited Nazis during WW2. It's literally the same thing

[@shotelco]

“Neutrality in the classical sense is not really compatible with UN membership and even less so with EU membership, ” Most EU member states were still colonial powers when the European Economic Community, the EU's predecessor, was founded in 1957. Although Switzerland had no colonies of its own - which is exactly why it was able to profit from colonialism in the FACT that as a "Neutral" capital/banking center, they constitutionally laundered profits from other European brutal and barbaric colonizers that violently plundered other peoples and lands. Also, Switzerland was the favorite haven for German Third Reich bank accounts and safe deposit boxes, which often contained property plundered from the holocaust. I understand the visceral resentment of these FACTS from those with Anglo/Euro supremist worldviews, but these are *FACTS* just the same.

[@TGX03]

@@johnlynch1353 Switzerland isn't really indispensable to governments. One of the biggest differences to Qatar is, Switzerland is fully surrounded by friendly countries, which Qatar isn't. Switzerland is doing a lot of shady shit with money, yes, but especially with Russia that has actually moved to Austria and Hungary. Switzerland isn't indispensable in Europe, not at all. It's just that it doesn't have enemies, and is actually tied very closely with the EU.

[@geoms6263]

Money doesn't change, it just changes its form or owner

[@huangGQ]

Having money is more useful than having morals.

[@desertblade1874]

Most countries run like this, especially western countries... It's not specific to only Qatar

[@eshankulkarni2843]

Morality is pretty much irrelevant on the geopolitical scale.

[@User31129]

Is that you, Donald?

[@lookingforsomething]

​@eshankulkarni2843 That is not true though. Morality often IS actually beneficial. Countries which share similar moralities often flock together, giving strength in numbers. Often the more selfish countries are rather alone, and only get alliances of convenience through strong arming and purchasing support. There is definitely a lot of value in soft power, which often follows good morals, which result in better ties. Morals make a difference, but money is obviously very strong as well. Most countries have a fair bit of money. Morals can be a significant power multiplier, and a country which is internationally liked find bigger and smaller benefits from easier trade to even direct military aid.

[@MinusMedley]

Yup, what a shitty world we live in.

[@defcry_again]

Switzerland is like, I don't want to deal with anyone. Qatar, is the opposite.

[@GrigRP]

Wrong. Switzerland joined in the sanctions on Russia.

[@JorgenKreedz]

I would say Qatar is more similar to Sweden of old. a bridge builder of countries in conflict. Folke Bernadotte, Arab/Israeli conflict, Vetnam, Apartheid, Iran/Iraq war, Dag Hammarsköld and more.

[@shahrukhkhan8307]

Switzerland is not important. Whereas Qatar is very very important.

[@dannyzero692]

@@shahrukhkhan8307 Switzerland is very, very important in the banking sector and they know that. They mostly keep and handle everyone else's money to build their economy around it, the Swiss banker is a popular trope for a reason. However Qatar is important in different ways, they actively sought out people to make deals with while people came to Switzerland to make deals.

[@juisss]

@@dannyzero692 "build their economy" ?? Switzerland has been a mountain safe for the bloody money and gold of war criminals and world-class citizen money thiefs starting from WW2 until now, and they failed at using that too just look at the state of credit suisse

[@nomodz4real]

Maybe a better title "How Qatar is trying to become the Switzerland of the Middle East". Maybe Switzerland has some baggage I am not aware of but the current title seems far too friendly to a nation that has rampant slave labour and was recently in hot water for the Olympics they held. Odd choice of words Edit: Current baggage on the same level of Qatar is what I meant. Good call out on the nazi gold thing, slipped my mind

[@lomiification]

Swiss banking is the baggage

[@cofresiexe]

Hard agree. Much better title.

[@baseballfan99]

World Cup not Olympics.

[@LinoPacheco]

Google Nazi gold Switzerland

[@aarocka11]

Nazi gold, stolen art from Jews, free port money laundering, money laundering in general, Swiss banking in general; and it’s still less ethically dubious than Qatar

[@quadon2620]

Minor correction: 3:55, 74mm equals 7.4cm. Not less than a cm

[@Michael_Chater]

Thank you bob ross

[@quadon2620]

@@Michael_Chater My pleasure, Micheal

[@Psara]

i had to back up to make sure he hadn’t said decimeters 😂

[@MrMattie725]

The simpliest system, ie. the metric system, can indeed be pretty confusing for some.

[@1YellowUmbrella]

More Singapore than Switzerland, in my opinion.

[@rayzr1120]

I was thinking it has some similarities to Taiwan aswell

[@lupin8750]

@@rayzr1120 In what ways is Qatar similar to Taiwan

[@starkidforlife136]

@@lupin8750Island

[@ShhhHhhhz]

nah, singapore has zero natural resources, its a fluke they even got this far.

[@A.F.Whitepigeon]

@@lupin8750 They're shaped roughly oblong.

[@De_Sam]

I know some others have mentioned that already but... Rain EVERYWHERE is measured in millimetres. That's just the internal standard, as 1 liter of water over an area of 1 square meter stands one millimeter deep. Or in other words: 1mm of precipitation = 1L/m² And 74mm is 7.4cm, which is more that 1cm, not less ( 3:55 )

[@DrowsySquid75]

Nerd

[@Mr_MikeMikeMike]

Lmao I guess the point he was trying to make went right over your head

[@DrowsySquid75]

you’re nerd buddi doesn’t not realize that 74mm is unnatural, under 1cm, and against gods will

[@Bob_Smith19]

US exists, it’s measured in inches. May be the only one but that means mm is not used everywhere.

[@EspeonMistress00]

​@@Mr_MikeMikeMikeThe point he was trying to make could have been made by saying something else instead of a false fact.

[@officiallyunofficial1]

I've struggled to focus on the information in the more recent videos because the background music is too distracting. I'm not sure that videos like these deserve suspenseful orchestral pieces, especially if it draws the audience away from the facts being presented.

[@BrockRiches]

Your maths is off. 74mm = 7.4cm, well over 1cm.

[@BMXaster]

I mean the only 2 somewhat real simillarities between the two nations is their will* to serve as a place for discussion between other not so neutral nations. And secondly their wealth, tho it's debateable on how this wealth was achieved and how sustainable their respective economies are.

[@rustix3]

13:51 How Bahrain airspace could cover Qatar's one and being above Qatar's EEZ? And how they can close the water ways to their ships, which are within Qatar's EEZ?

[@herisruns]

Airspace doesn't always line up exactly with EEZ. Airspace is managed by the UN's Civil Aviation Organization, and disproportionately large areas are often given to countries that have more robust air traffic control infrastructure. for example, US air traffic control covers large portions of the pacific and Spain covers a part of Africa that's close to the Canary Islands

[@rustix3]

@@herisruns Ah,ok. But the video mentions "closing ... their waters to Qatari ships", how that's possible with the EEZ?

[@danielamir452]

​@@rustix3The video never claimed they prevented Qatari ships from accessing Qatari waters, nor that ships were stuck in Qatar and couldn't leave. They just couldn't sail through most UAE, Saudi Arabian, and Bahraini waters, which means they had to take a more circuitous route.

[@michaellinehan710]

​@rustix3 EEZ has nothing to do with shipping, only internal waters can truly be closed off, and territorial waters (12nm) are the only waterways that can be controlled by the nation, notwithstanding innocent passage. EEZ only controls which states may use the resources underneath the surface, such as fishing and seabed exploitation.

[@lzh4950]

@@herisruns Indonesia has also voiced disquiet over neighbouring Singapore's FIR extending over the former's Riau islands (just ~20km away, & near enough for some terrorists to plot to fire rockets from there to Singapore). Maybe because this meant added bureaucracy for Indonesia's domestic flights that overfly Singapore's FIR but within Indonesian airspace - of having to handover from Indonesian to Singaporean ATC & then vice-versa, though I think Singapore does pay rent to Indonesia also so that the former has enough airspace to accommodate planes stacking near its Changi Airport.

[@jammaschan]

I had a flight transfer in Qatar and I wasn't able to message my family because Signal (the messaging app) was blocked. There's no way it can become a "neutral" state with that amount of censoring. (If you also are in the same situation as I was, Signal has an inbuilt censorship circumvention toggle in its settings which solved the problem for me.)

[@Ra99y]

same thing with most gulf countries

[@AbdulRehman-fb6ol]

@@Ra99ythey have a weird policy regarding VoIPs

[@Happy-Mint]

Only signal calls are blocked in Qatar. Signal messages work fine. This is used to benefit mobile carriers financially.

[@StandWithIsraelForever]

Just like the Swizz helped the Nazi's hide gold during WWII, the Qataries are helping Islamists terrorists become Billioners and hide their money and them as well in 7 start hotels!!! People that Behead people are celbrated there, this is Qatar.

[@jammaschan]

@@Happy-Mint nope, I was unable to send messages to my family telling them that I had landed safely in Qatar. I did not attempt to call them on Signal. After turning on the censorship bypassing feature, the messages were sent without issue.

[@TheHylianBatman]

I find the dynamics and the relationships within the Middle East so interesting. This was an interesting topic, thank you.

[@Del_S]

Trouble is, if you play both sides of the street you're gonna get hit by traffic both ways if something goes wrong.

[@CLmssan]

Weak analogy

[@Del_S]

@@CLmssan True though.

[@chairforce0ne]

@@CLmssan Nah its the perfect analogy, you can only play both sides for so long 'till you catch heat for being two faced

[@abbasshahjafri]

it's not doing it empty handed though, Qatar has oil which the world so desperately needs rn.

[@Ra99y]

yes but Qatar can handle it

[@samh8977]

What an insult to Switzerland

[@MetalchipCovers]

(opinion) Qatar is to -Africa(💀)- THE MIDDLE EAST as Switzerland is to Europe. Qatar ≠ Switzerland!

[@EpicgamerwinXD6669]

@@MetalchipCoversbruh, Qatar is in Asia.

[@FortuneZer0]

Yea, we swiss have fallen far. For some saracens to easily overtake us. We should never have joined the UN. We shouldnt have enforced women suffrage without equal duty to serve in 1990. We shouldnt have enslaved us with bilateral treaties with the NGO "European Union". We should never have caved on our banking secret. We have been sold out.

[@MetalchipCovers]

@@EpicgamerwinXD6669 sorry😅, let me rephrase, Qatar serves the Switzerland's role for the middle east and surrounding nations, Qatar is not being directly compared to Switzerland, it's just taking up the role Switzerland would fill for the Middle East, Africa & Surrounding nations, (Qatar is not Switzerland, they have done many ethically bankrupt things, but Qatar's role is for what switzerland is to Europe, as Qatar is now for where it's located). (TLDR: Too long, didn't read)

[@waynejohnson1786]

The country that got rich off gold stolen from occupied countries during WW2? 😂

[@mtathos_]

With a bit more of slavery and worker abuse. What an insult to Switzerland this claim is.

[@samh8977]

Don't forget funding terrorism

[@SirFrancisBaconn]

Just gonna ignore all the money Swiss banks hold for dictators and other truly evil humans, that they continued to trade with and treat with the Nazi's throughout the holocaust and protect child rapists like Roman Polanski? "In 1999 an international panel of historians declared that Switzerland was "guilty of acting as an accomplice to the Holocaust when it refused to accept many thousands of fleeing Jews, and instead sent them back to almost certain annihilation at the hands of the Nazis"." Switzerland has plenty of skeletons in it's closet.

[@BigMuskachini]

boohoo imagine if those Indians/South east asians decided to work in their own countries rather than abroad. absolutely 0 sympathy from me

[@TONI__KROOS]

Every country was built by slavery

[@woodpenguin954]

On the slavery index, Qatar is better than every single middle eastern country and is similar to Hungary and greece while having more than 10x the number of foreign residents nevermind as a percentage.

[@psammiad]

Why do Americans say EYE-ran, instead of Iran?

[@scrambledmandible]

Because that's the sound "I" makes when it starts a word

[@korakys]

Because they never hear non-Americans say it. Hey, at least he did far better than most Americans when it comes to saying Qatar. No "cutters" to be heard!

[@youngboyuzumaki2407]

@@scrambledmandiblenot every word that starts with the letter “i” is pronounced “eye”

[@cmmartti]

​@@youngboyuzumaki2407No, sometimes it's a short I (like "inept"). But it's almost never a long E (like the Es in "leek"). I'm sure there are some examples but in general, the letter I is not pronounced with a long E in English, particularly Can-American English. As a reminder, different languages have no obligation to conform with the pronunciations or spelling of foreign words/names, or even try to use them at all, e.g. Japan or Paris.

[@mdwz]

But Iraq is not pronounced ee-raq, it's the short i from inept​@@cmmartti

[@HobbleFart]

InB4 Comments turned off lol

[@Pessimisti_c]

you are completely wrong it's Oman. i have been to both countries it is Oman

[@m0d1f1c8tor]

What did Oman do? At least Qatar is on the international news for being the mediator to several rival countries.

[@mistermood4164]

Oman is neutral but lacks influence

[@zozaplaysrobloxandfootball]

You are right,it is Oman.But isn’t the video about qatar trying to become Switzerland?

[@ajernandes]

Hide and Seek in Qatar when?

[@suparmohammed1997]

They're not hiding

[@aryehbluth4776]

At 19:25 you said Qatar brokered a deal “medication for Israeli hostages” which never actually made it to said hostages.

[@Ra99y]

is that the fault of Qatar though? They still made it happen

[@danielamir452]

​@@Ra99ywell evidently they didn't make it happen...

[@mattr8750]

This was a great vid, something I knew little about, yet interesting and important.

[@karlslicher8520]

Switzerland is a mountain fortress. Qatar could at most be the Ireland of Islam, but without Britain geographically bound to protecting it.

[@uhohhotdog]

That’s why they have US military bases there

[@mattdombrowski8435]

Oh, you are going to get a lot of angry Irish people for claiming they are in any way protected by Britain.

[@uhohhotdog]

@@mattdombrowski8435 yea. They’re actually protected by the U.S.

[@Brightlight-bd9jc]

@@mattdombrowski8435 protected they are slaves of Britain Look at history

[@Raditram]

10:05 is what you're all here for, the airplanes and airlines lmao

[@Nazuiko]

What is this, HAI?

[@abhinav.pandey19]

Comparing Qatar with Switzerland, eh? That's like saying, a stable equilibrium and an unstable equilibrium are both the same. I get that both nations have a penchant for opaque practices frowned upon elsewhere and that they're pitting two adversaries against one another, while emerging as the sole victor. But, I don't really find the above practice quite sustainable in the long run. Sooner rather than later, the whole situation could blow up with the neutral turf turning itself into a battle turf.

[@user-mi4lp2nv8r]

one correction: for Hamas, the alternative to basing their political HQ wasn't Gaza itself - it was more likely going to be Syria or even Iran. They would need a foreign location to operate in, and all other alternatives would have been much worse for the US than them being in Qatar.

[@suleyman8696]

Before 2012 it was in Syria, and the USA didn’t have much troubles with that and saw Syria as a mediator back then 😊

[@bankerdave888]

Money talks, loyalty walks

[@Plasmafox]

To be a pacifist you need to be strong. If you're weak, you're not peaceful, you're harmless, and you will be preyed upon

[@sanketbaxi8064]

Strong "war is peace" vibes

[@piedpiper1172]

@@sanketbaxi8064Switzerland had a robust self defense military (and an impressive set of anti-invasion infrastructure/strategic demolition investments). War is peace refers to offensive acts of war being described as peace. There is a substantial difference from having sufficient strength to make the prospect of invasion unappealing vs expansionist policy masquerading as peace keeping. There is also an element of ensuring prospective opponents know you are strong enough for self defense. There is a particularly poignant example in Ukraine atm. Russian decision makers massively underestimated Ukraine’s self defense capacity, and thus that same capacity failed to act as a deterrent. Military power, like everything else we collaborate to make, is a tool. It’s moral value-or utter immorality-is determined by how it is used.

[@bruhice6058]

@@sanketbaxi8064being ready to fight is peace

[@Admiral_Jezza]

@@sanketbaxi8064 Its more akin to "speak softly and carry a big stick."

[@immaterialspectator4209]

Being non-violent means not using violence. It not some philosophical mystery. If someone says "I will never shoot a human being." that position isn't invalidated by them not buying a gun. The whole idea that you need to be capable of violence to be a pacifist is deranged.

[@d.b.cooper1]

Some great insights sam my old mucker, never disappoints

[@MohammedR-fk2ju]

Qatar is not the only key country in the Hamas and Israel negotiations, Egypt plays an important role too. And certainly, qatar was not the sole factor on the recent ceasefire brokered between isreal and hamas.

[@789know]

yea he completely forget Egypt. Qatar get itself in bc they r major backer of Hamas and leadership r there.

[@Jakeobfreedman]

Egypt just doesn’t want Palestinian migrating into their country. Look at the massive wall they’re building to keep them out. Compare that to Poland opening it’s doors for displaced Ukrainians a few years ago, night and day

[@Crownpanda]

Egypt? What are you smoking

[@Agtsmirnoff]

Qatar has largely failed at mediating this conflict

[@NaenaeGaming]

Got to love the entire comment section being people rightfully criticising the system of modern day slavery that is Kafala!

[@Karma46819]

Qatar showed the world what it thinks human life when building the station for the World Cup

[@autograndeunlimited]

Got to love how clueless yall are LMAO

[@EspeonMistress00]

It's so tiring. May be we should also talk about the many many US war crimes everytime he talks about US then? Also as if US citizens aren't slaves. Capitalistic slaves

[@q2yogurt]

yes but it's literally irrelevant to the content of the video

[@Smalp-jn4kn]

@@Karma46819 what about allowing terrorists to stay at the four seasons

[@gvfc]

What happens when the gas runs out?

[@modernadmiral]

They have over 600 years of reserves left. But as stated in the video, it's a non issue because of the other massive financial generating projects they have. Their portfolio is incredibly diverse.

[@ethandouro4334]

​@@modernadmiraltheir agriculture is growing way higher than their neighbours except for Iran

[@mooingAlong]

Publishing this video a week before Jet Lag Switzerland is released to Nebula? I see what you did there, Sam. 😊

[@13minutestomidnight]

Although Qatar has a bad record with human rights abuses (unfortunately, like other countries in the Middle East), which I'm not disregarding, those issues are separate from its diplomacy, and it's a good thing Wendover Productions is objective enough to treat those issues separately on their own terms (which is very difficult). The truth is that providing a place for discussion and mediating dialogue and peaceful exchanges between different groups (so many of whom are highly militaristic) is still desperately needed and a good thing. They pursue their own version of neutrality (as stated in the video),and according to their own interests, but it may be the best cause for hope in helping to reduce conflict in the region. I don't believe saying "if you don't oppose them, you're supporting them" is a fair statement about neutrality, rather that statement is used by militaristic groups that don't like opposition (whether that's the current leaders of Saudi Arabia, the US or Israel). That said, it is definitely true that neutrality is always subjective and a very difficult line to walk. Due to that, neutrality is always biased by context and culture even before you get to politics, but just the attempt at neutrality and mediation is something that any country involved in a war-torn region should aspire to.

[@StandWithIsraelForever]

Just like the Swizz helped the Nazi's hide gold during WWII, the Qataries are helping Islamists terrorists become Billioners and hide their money and them as well in 7 start hotels!!! People that Behead people are celbrated there, this is Qatar.

[@shahrukhkhan8307]

You think America don't have human right issues? There are 1 million undocumented migrants in slavery right now in America.

[@TONI__KROOS]

And america is the beacon of human rights?!

[@StandWithIsraelForever]

@@TONI__KROOS Yes!!! learn a bit of history buddy - don't compare America to America, but compare it to another country, say Turkmenistan, China, Russia and yes you will find the they are literaly the beacon...god you guys have it so god you don't even get it

[@sullivanl3305]

@@StandWithIsraelForever typical murican... of course you misunderstood his comment! That's why you need to stop funding that inefficient military of yours and put all that money into your EDUCATION SYSTEM so you don't end up making ignorant comments. Stick to school buddy. Less guns, more school.... and more reading for gods sake so you can properly comprehend what people say.

[@TheCube31]

Ok, let's adress the comments because i swear, the amount of people calling this 'propaganda' or how it's 'appaling' for trying to compare Qatar with Switzerland it's just... Arg... First, because you don't like a nation or their policy doesn't mean you can insult those who make videos about them to hell and back. Second, Switzerland as well has had some very dark moments in which it has supported very unsavoury individual (Es: the NAZIS) so that's a nonfactor as well. And the video is saying how Qatar is seemingly trying to become the Switzerland FOR the middle east, not just trying to copy that country but rather it's neutrality. Tho, of course, they go about it in very different ways, given the different circumstances. For once, Switzerland has had a long history of offering mercenaries to europe plus it's placement means that it has always been relatively safe. Qatar is not like that at all. It is, as the video said, weak so, of of course they would seek out US protection, of course they would offer support to terrorists, of course they would support those who hunt them as well. Actually It seems that Switzerland and Qatar are doing the exact opposite in trying to achieve their 'Neutrality' tho, at the end, the results should be broadly the same. One stays neutral by not supporting ANYONE (tho that has recently changed because of the war in Ukraine) while the other stays neutral by supporting EVERYONE, including the US and actual terrorists. Everyone is free game here, it wouldn't be effective otherwise, no morality. Same for the section about the News Network, it stated that it offered a relatively Neutral, unbiased opinion on international matters. And I don't doubt it, RELATIVELY speaking. After all, when compared to other news outlets of the area, how does it stack? So while yes, it is not 'neutral' per se, it is much closer than the alternatives. And while the video does seem to depict Qatar in a weirdly positive note, that all goes to hell when you remember that "Ahh yes, they also support terrorists" so, I don't really think this reads as a sellout ad. Personally I think that the video is broadly correct, yes, it does gloss over some VERY important issues Qatar has (cough, modern slavery, cough) but it tries to explain it all in a very easy to digest manner which is appreciated.

[@justmeajah]

Well said!

[@eavocado5890pppj]

The kafala system was removed in Qatar according to every labour rights organisation. So it’s just misinformation in the comments section

[@CLiss15]

"Iran supports terrorist organizations." - Not a quote you'll hear from Wendover Productions.

[@gobbel2000]

Thanks, that was very informative. I did have some image about Qatar from various events, but never knew that it was of such large political importance for the region.

[@StandWithIsraelForever]

Just like the Swizz helped the Nazi's hide gold during WWII, the Qataries are helping Islamists terrorists become Billioners and hide their money and them as well in 7 start hotels!!! People that Behead people are celbrated there, this is Qatar.

[@zapfanzapfan]

3:50 "...receives less than a centimeter of precipitation a year...", while in the table on screen it says 74 mm, which is more than 1 centimeter...

[@tombo416]

Switzerland is a Lawful Neutral whilst Qatar is Chaotic Neutral

[@Dudenier]

Lawful or not, its all relative

[@TheBaldOne]

Qatar is not neutral, it tries to portray itself as neutral but to anyone paying attention to that region it's not neutral by any means.

[@MetalchipCovers]

​@@DudenierExactly, Switzerland is to Europe as Qatar is to Africa; Qatar is no where near the same nation as Switzerland!

[@korakys]

lol, this is such a good way to put it

[@harlowida]

Lmao keep seething

[@StevenPerszyk]

Wow this is the worst weandover video of all time

[@SFarhan]

You forgot to mention oman, which is an actually neutral and which doesn't (i think) maintain any US air force base

[@GabrielReid-st6ix]

Literally everything I've learned about the Middle East has come from this channel. Every news network either assumes I know everything already or says "the region has a complex history" and then makes zero effort to elaborate. So you know, I appreciate all the hard work you do!

[@Crownpanda]

GDF is pretty good when it comes to its modern history and conflict and is arguably better than bendover productions when it comes to covering the middle east

[@TheBaldOne]

Dude, having lived in the middle east for the past 10 years, hearing you say Qatar is neutral is like a punch in the stomach. Tell me this is ironic.

[@ILovePancakes24]

I don't live in the middle east. Do you care to explain why they are not neutral?

[@zeeeek3]

@@ILovePancakes24besides actively funding and supporting genocidal terror groups with strong connections to Iran? Or their state run propaganda outlet, Al Jazeera, which they use to push their agenda under the guise of independent journalism? They allow the US in to give them plausible deniability and reduce the fallout of their actions -- US presence there means America is unlikely to retaliate against them for being some of the worst people on the planet

[@waynejohnson1786]

They are neutral but lean more towards the US.

[@BlackHawkTejas]

@@ILovePancakes24Sheltering terrorists leaders from all around the world live there as kings like life! Don't pay their migrant workers, have horrible human rights( this coming from a non-western perspective) etc...

[@user-ci4hi2ui2k]

​Because they have financed basically every islamist revolutianry group realated to the muslim Brotherhood

[@mendel5106]

Quatar is not neutral at all but very partial to Palestinians and Hamas.

[@quehablo]

And also very partial to the US military and thus, indirectly, Israel. It's kind of like saying the Korean DMZ isn't neutral because both north and south are there

[@alexkudzin4980]

2:22 You didn't highlight the right side of the DMZ after the Dhekelia military base, or the Dhekelia military base which forms the border…

[@erictaylor5462]

1:10 Well, seeing as it is in the middle east, it would be bazaar. Unless you are talking about a strange event, in witch case it would be a bizarre event taking place in a bazaar. In that part of the world a strange grocery store is a bizarre bazaar.

[@gootywooty]

Al Jazeera is not this neutral haven of a news source that this video tries to paint it as (there was ONE brief mention of how this only applies to issues not related to Qatar directly)... Skeptical on how truly accurate all this information actually is with the endless praise despite well known controversy and criticism of its government. Edit: Lots of other comments seem to suggest this video being paid by Qatar lol, just the complete one-sidedness of this entire video is something to consider and I can see how some have come to that conclusion.

[@Andrew_Kohn]

The same news network that employs a journalist in Gaza who just so happened to be filming himself inside an Israeli Kibbutz on October 7th. I cannot believe he actually posted this video.

[@elon6131]

Feels a bit like the video started with the interesting premise and kind of got worked around that a little too much. edit: more generally though, i think the video was accurate - they just didn't go out of their way to highlight every single issue with Quatar. I think that's a very reasonable way to go about this content, but it's understandable that people struggle to match the overtly negative coverage they are used to with this more pragmatic take.

[@MetalchipCovers]

I agree, though I believe what Wendover as trying to say (at least to me) is that Al Jazeera is a neutral haven of news compared to other fellow state run news stations from neigbouring countries. Al Jazeera's news is not neutral and very biased when it comes to domestic and forign news; yet, Al Jazeera acts a very flawed altenative compared to one's already very flawed state owned news stations. (be free to reply with anything you want to add or anything you want to critisise)

[@gootywooty]

@@MetalchipCovers Agree with it being a lot better than similar channels in the region. There is also a noticeable difference between the Arabic and English versions with the former showing its bias more explicitly. Ultimately they're both state-run so people should do their own due diligence on what's being reported and how.

[@unknownperson3691]

He doesn’t want to be killed by a rogue Emir.

[@Ghost_PM11]

I don't know Jack, this one looks suspicious.

[@pucirepu]

Ohh there it is!! Who had the 10:03 bet on how long he will go before mentioning something plane related??

[@markwils5042]

Really well presented !

[@emmettturner9452]

I got caught in that June 2017 fiasco when flying back to the USA from Thailand and Japan. So many countries closed their airspace to Qatar Airways that the plane had to be routed far out of the way and the flight ended up being something like 21 or 23 hours. We weren’t allowed to have any of our electronic carry-on items either, so my Nintendo Switch (just launched) and laptop were out of reach in the checked luggage… which I **really** didn’t want to do after my New Nintendo 3DS XL was stolen from checked luggage on the ferry from Samui Island days earlier. :( Doha was obviously impressive though I never left the airport and knew full well that the airport and city were a Potemkin Village of sorts. The employees were nice tho’

[@Ra99y]

unlucky about the DS and the situation. I’m sure you would rather have a safer flight though.

[@emmettturner9452]

@@Ra99y Oh, for sure, but there wasn’t actually any threat causing the heightened security. Just other countries closing their airspace over some allegation that the country’s leaders had supported the wrong people. Nothing to do with air travel. It was just a strange “do something” reaction where the U.S. was willing to allow flights as long as they did stuff like that.

[@smallworld707]

Nah there was a real possibility of ground movement from Saudi. But that didn't happen. It's not so much of a potemkin village. Unless you're a wagey. Then it is very, very bad.

[@emmettturner9452]

@@smallworld707 Thanks for the info, but even that is a far cry from bombing civilian air passengers with bombs smuggled on the plane. The Saudis would not have needed to resort to such tactics even if they were willing to take it down. Closing their airspace makes it harder for them to hit when you think about it. Maybe you mean ethnic Saudi rogues, like 9-11?

[@WanderingExistence]

Neutrality, except for breaking human rights...

[@MetalchipCovers]

Qatar is Neutral (comparitively) externally, but is just as ethically bad as the UAE externally.

[@carltonhealy9457]

I was supposed to fly to Qatar and then Saudi Arabia afterwards to host some training classes at my company's offices in either country the summer 2017. Had all the visas setup and everything. Then the embargo happened and that whole trip costing a couple thousand dollars was cancelled. Still haven't been since.

[@Richardincancale]

That and the snow…

[@MrChrisRCT3]

real life lore ahh title

[@nitehawk86]

And real life lore levels of misinformation.

[@xPRIMExNITROx]

Refreshing to hear it pronounced “Kuh-tar”

[@korakys]

Yeah, it really was. Still needs to work on that "I ran" pronunciation though 😅

[@ethandouro4334]

​@@korakysjust wait till you hear the Arabic pronunciation of Qatar tho, they say it as "Guitar" lol

[@Auxilor]

excellent touch using helvetica in the thumbnail

[@randomblock1_]

3:52 74mm is 7.4cm, well over a centimeter, did they make another mistake?

[@zaper2904]

>Al Jazeera >Balanced nuanced view

[@ashliehiggins]

If you compare it to Fox it is.

[@zaper2904]

@@ashliehiggins Not when it comes to Qatari business or Israel.

[@juicy342yt4]

@@zaper2904i mean, quite hard to have unbiased news about isntreal

[@zaper2904]

@@juicy342yt4 They still haven't retracted the al-Ahli story despite basically every organization on earth coming out by this point and saying it was the PIJ.

[@AL-lh2ht]

@@ashliehiggins If fox news said whatever the goverment told them to.

[@BlackHawkTejas]

If Qatar is neutral,then china is a democracy, US really cares about human life, uk never colonized anyone, India has the world's least population, ukraine is the most non-corrupt country, Earth is flat, Japan has no industrialization etc...etc...

[@HarvestStore]

Great video.

[@shivamjhanwar2782]

honestly liked watching the videos more when they had captions, haven't seen a couple since y'all stopped doing that

[@robmack519]

Imagine being on the administative end of a terror organization with an office and everything. I always assumed that would be more of a work from home gig

[@xxluggixx2559]

There's a significant lack of criticism in this video.

[@prestondobber]

Was honestly expecting a “this video is sponsored the Qatar Investment Authority” at the end of the video. Such blatant propaganda.

[@shauryavashisht8743]

😂😂 This video is blatant propaganda

[@burhan1527]

This video isn't about criticism shittard. It's about discussing Qatar foreign policy and they have only done good in their policies so there is nothing much to criticize about. You can drop this hate and think without having preconceived thoughts turd

[@Smalp-jn4kn]

@@prestondobber he is a liberal don’t you get it?

[@Smalp-jn4kn]

@@prestondobber yeah for a country that’s harboring terrorists. Isn’t he gay himself? I don’t think they appreciate his kind in Qatar.

[@ashwinknayak]

Thanks!

[@trillionbones89]

Could be a Civ6 trade city state: broadcast stations, airports, stadiums and maritime oil improvements receive +1 to each of their bonus. +1 influence point for each city state you are suzerein of. Allows you to station aircraft in its borders. Tasks: send a trade route, eureka for oil Luxury good: pearls Strategic resource: oil Buildings: harbor, commercial hub Most if not all bonuses are late game, which together with coastal desert biom balances out its otherwise heavy bonuses.

[@jameshisself9324]

Well, it's not really Switzerland if it host foreign militaries. Does Hamas and the Taliban count for that alongside the US? Me thinks yes.

[@geffeniz]

Awesome work team....top 3 best youtube channels ever😃

[@HarlockG]

Maaaybe this one is too much of a stretch. But I'd like you to explain why Iberia, Spanish flagship airline, built the 'T4 Satellite' terminal in Madrid airport the way they built it. It's a terminal with no direct connection to the outside of the airport or any other terminal. It is an 'island' between the runways. I always thought that was a very special kind of airport terminal and I not know any other similar designs in the world.

[@uzbekistanplaystaion4BIOScrek]

"on average, [qatar] receives less than a centimetre of precipitation a year." graphic says 74mm, which is 7.4cm last i checked if my brain is still where i left it. E: "Rainfall averages 100 mm (3.9 in) per year, confined to the winter months, and falling in brief storms which are occasionally heavy enough to flood the small ravines and the usually dry wadis." from wikipedia

[@zeeeek3]

Between this video and the video on Saudi sports washing, I guess it's clear who's paying the Wendover bills these days

[@cretinousmartyr3522]

Nebula?

[@cretinousmartyr3522]

Oh Brilliant, not Nebula lol

[@dhavalincredible]

Nice…never knew that Wendover is a subsidiary of Al Jazeera 😂😂😂

[@user-qg3id3vf8b]

Hilarious!

[@noahliebz539]

Great video

[@browniniobrowni2074]

Bro why did you say that the rain in Qatar is measured in mm? That is literally the standard unit for precipitation measurement

[@Breakfast221]

Sam, you're usually pretty solid, but calling Al Jazeera's coverage of Middle Eastern news "neutral" is not your best work.

[@eshankulkarni2843]

COMPARATIVELY. Name one other middle eastern news source that is less screwed than AJ. Yes, AJ sucks, but relatively, it is more "neutral" than the others. Everything is relative my friend.

[@eshankulkarni2843]

@@johnhudson2210 Never heard of Middle East Monitor, Haaretz is Israeli, so they're dealing with an automatic stigma. Point still stands.

[@Ellaliluleloka]

@@eshankulkarni2843Israel is the only democracy in the middle east that has free press (for now anyway). It counts for something that the other countries dont have.

[@adhynugroho9424]

​​@@Ellalilulelokarape is also free in Israel.

[@sip275]

@@Ellaliluleloka free does not mean unbiased. Israeli media is basically as biased towards Palestine as a state-media platform would be.

[@The_Lone_Aesir]

still hard to imagine Al Jazeera as being a good source of journalism given some of their quite laughable reports during the iraq war. but over the years ive found that anything involving non-middle east issues they can generally be pretty rock solid.

[@timothystamm3200]

Even in the Middle East, they aren't as biased as some sources and especially state sources and other state sources that are of allied states with whatever state is being reported on.

[@tsartomato]

only someone stupid enough to believe russia today would believe al ben laden tv

[@Crownpanda]

Well the U.S threatened to bomb their offices in the iraq war so they can't be all bad

[@Carewolf]

Yeah, an easy competitor for BBC when it comes to stuff outside the Middle-East.

[@ReaperUnreal]

3:55 That's well over a centimeter, that's in fact nearly 10 cm.

[@duxsci]

Also, i got a "visit Quatar" ad after this video...

[@ryankertzner4343]

"Al Jazeera offers a more balanced, nuanced view."

[@zeeeek3]

ahahahahahahahahah

[@Distress.]

I laughed stopped watching there

[@erikziak1249]

I tend to disagree with the claim that Qatar is becoming the Switzerland of the Middle East. There might be some parallels to be drawn between Qatar and Switzerland, but they are just a few and the differences are much bigger. Economically, politically, historically, geographically, etc.

[@viggofrejd313]

Can you make a video of the Logistics of a Charity/Foundation/NGO etc?

[@LeagueofJay137]

19:22 FYI the medicine never reached the hostages

[@prabardeori]

Never been this early on a wendover video.

[@samulimannonen]

Love your channel but there's no way you just made a 23-minute video on Qatar without mentioning the slavery. You spent minutes on demographics and economics so "that wasn't the topic" is no excuse either. The Brilliant ad took me by surprise because based on the content, I was expecting a Qatar Investment Authority insert at the end.

[@Lartoria]

Underrated comment 😂😂😂

[@BigMuskachini]

Slavery? Damn didnt realize qatar/Saudi arabia had conquistadors and colonial bases in India/southeast asia and were forcibly purchasing slaves and transporting them to qatar to work in slave pits.

[@HylianMadness]

Yeah this video is kind of irresponsible. I wouldn't be surprised if it gets pulled.

[@AL-lh2ht]

expats are not slaves. and he did mention expats.

[@BigMuskachini]

@johnhudson2210 they are compensated maybe they should look up the conditions no sympathy from me literally don't care at all in fact I find it amusing their ignorance lead them into such conditioms boooohooo

[@ciCCapROSTi]

That blockade reminds me of the sanctions on Russia, which also caused an already mostly self-sufficient country to suffessfully tie bonds on it.

[@bzamler]

Al Jazeera is trusted?

[@EpicgamerwinXD6669]

As someone who is half Arab themselves, I truly despise Qatar. And I'm far from alone in that assessment, people in Saudi Arabia and The UAE probably hate Qatar orders of magnitude more than myself.

[@salifyanji7889]

Saudi lol🤣🤣, I can't think of a government more despised by muslims

[@zakr1187]

Why?

[@EpicgamerwinXD6669]

@@zakr1187why do I hate them? Well for starters as someone who's half Egyptian, they keep 300,000 Egyptians as slave labor in their country. Why do The UAE and Saudi Arabia hate them? Because Qatar is on good terms with Iran.

[@madhavyu]

Why? Genuinely curious.

[@hcn6708]

Saudis and Emiratis hate it because they see it as a competitor lmao

[@Molikai]

And ignoring that Switzwerland got away with it by a) Being in a really defensible spot, and b) Supplying mercenaries to most of Europe for several centuries...

[@leotard2536]

Hi Mr. American, 74mm is more than a centimeter. It's 7.4cm, since milli- (1000) is a tenth of centi- (100).

[@kacperslaczka6290]

3:50 74 milimeters is 7.4 centimeters. 1 m = 10 dm = 100 cm = 1000 mm.