Qatar’s path to defence autonomy

Amid security uncertainty in the Gulf, Qatar is seeking to build a national defence capability over the next five years that does not depend entirely on the United States or support from other Gulf Cooperation Council members. Abdullah Al-Emadi argues that the goal should be defence autonomy, not isolation or the ability to defeat a major regional power alone. He outlines six priorities: air and missile defence, early warning and information sovereignty, critical infrastructure protection, air and naval power, cybersecurity and electronic warfare, and multiple security guarantees.