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 In the Land of the Blind, the One-Eyed Man is King

In 1996, on an island metaphorically known as the "Land of the Blind," a groundbreaking Arab modernist media project was born—Al Jazeera. At that time, most media outlets in Arab countries were state-owned, and Arabs seeking alternative perspectives often turned to Western broadcasters like France's Monte Carlo and Britain's BBC. This initiative emerged during pivotal historical moments: the Gulf War of 1990, the launch of the Arab-Israeli peace process in 1992, the Oslo Accords of 1993, the Jordan-Israel peace treaty in 1994, and Qatar’s internal political shift in 1995 when Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani replaced his father in a bloodless coup.

That year, Qatar also opened the Israeli Interests Office in Doha, marking a significant geopolitical turn. Backed by a foundational budget exceeding $150 million from Qatar, Al Jazeera was established as a powerful media arm of a small state, strategically avoiding the traditional state-controlled media model. But was this platform a means for Qatar to amplify its global influence, leveraging international changes? Or was it part of a broader international agenda that used Qatar as a conduit to serve larger strategic objectives?

Answering this question requires examining the international stakeholders involved and their long-term goals, as well as whether these aligned with Qatar's ambitions.

The Rise of a Media Powerhouse

On January 26, 1995, Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad, the Emir of Qatar, departed for Switzerland on a leisure trip, leaving his son Sheikh Hamad in charge. Shortly after, Sheikh Hamad declared himself the ruler of Qatar, an act condemned by neighboring Arab states like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the UAE as politically unethical. However, many observers argue this was more than a power grab. The coup was reportedly sanctioned by the U.S., following Sheikh Khalifa's refusal to host a major American airbase in Qatar—a strategic necessity after the Gulf War of 1991 and in preparation for the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

This transition turned Qatar into a cornerstone of U.S. regional strategy, particularly in light of its vast natural gas reserves. The new leadership sought to expand its influence, rivaling other Gulf nations, especially the UAE. To achieve this, Qatar needed a sophisticated tool to project soft power: Al Jazeera.

The Al Jazeera Strategy

Al Jazeera's success hinged on three core themes that resonated deeply with the Arab world:

Championing the Palestinian Cause – The channel consistently aligned itself with Arab and Muslim solidarity for Palestine.

Critiquing Traditional Arab Regimes – Al Jazeera became a platform for voices opposing authoritarian governments in the region.

Appealing to Islamic Values – It catered to the cultural and religious sensibilities of its audience.

These themes aligned closely with the global Muslim Brotherhood, making the organization a natural ally in this media venture. This partnership caused friction with many Arab governments, leading to repeated bans and accusations that Al Jazeera fueled societal unrest.

A Platform of Contradictions

Al Jazeera’s coverage has often been contradictory: it broadcasted interviews with Israeli officials while simultaneously celebrating acts of Palestinian resistance. It supported U.S. military interventions in Iraq yet condemned American actions when its journalists were killed. It lionized Hezbollah’s resistance in Lebanon but vilified the group during Syria's civil war. These contradictions highlighted the channel's alignment with shifting political agendas.

The Arab Spring further exposed these inconsistencies. While Al Jazeera fervently covered uprisings against regimes opposed to Qatar's interests, it downplayed or ignored protests against allies. The channel's bias became even clearer during its coverage of internal Palestinian politics, where it overtly favored Hamas, the Palestinian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood, over the Palestinian Authority.

The Gaza War and the Breaking Point

The most recent war in Gaza revealed the extent of Al Jazeera’s partiality. Its coverage overwhelmingly amplified Hamas's narrative, sidelining other perspectives. This approach alienated even some of its traditional allies, including the Palestinian Authority, which eventually banned the channel in the West Bank.

Conclusion

Al Jazeera was a groundbreaking media project, leveraging Qatar’s resources and geopolitical ambitions. However, its alignment with the Muslim Brotherhood and its role in fueling regional instability have drawn sharp criticism.

When the cost of advancing a nation’s geopolitical influence is the trivialization of an entire region’s struggles—traded for events like hosting a World Cup—one might say we've arrived at the "Land of the Blind," where the "One-Eyed Man" reigns supreme.