The launch of theAlJazeerainformation chain,theninvestments in finance andmore recentlyin football(purchase ofclubsand retransmission rights)well as its roleplayedin the Libyan conflict,have placed theQataron the front ofthe international scene.Rich inpeninsula gas(depositsoffshore)and oil,located on the southshore of the Gulfarabopersique (at the borderof Saudi Arabiaand close toArab Emirates united andof Bahrain), theQatardisplaysambitionsthat rely ona financial strike forceoutside the norm,having regard toits very small size.