On Sunday, May 3, 2026, the College of Political Science at the University of Baghdad hosted a master’s thesis defense for Abdulrahman Tariq Ismail, entitled “Qatar’s Role in Mediation and Settlement with Armed Groups: The Taliban Agreement as a Model After 2020.” The thesis was presented in the Dr. Jihad Al-Hassani Hall.
The thesis, comprised of three chapters, analyzed Qatar’s growing role in international mediation and conflict resolution, particularly in asymmetric conflicts. It focused on Qatar’s experience in managing negotiations between the United States and the Taliban, presenting it as a model of successful mediation between two parties with differing capabilities and resources.
The thesis outlined the factors that contributed to the success of Qatari mediation, including its adoption of a balanced foreign policy combining neutrality and flexibility, its use of effective diplomatic tools based on confidence-building, and its creation of a stable negotiating environment. It also highlighted Qatar’s ability to reshape international perceptions of the Taliban, paving the way for an agreement and the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan.
The study further discussed the mechanisms Qatar employed in managing protracted conflicts and its role in balancing political interests with humanitarian considerations, which strengthened its position as a trusted international mediator in complex issues.
The examining committee consisted of:
* Professor Dr. Adel Abdul Hamza Al-Badawi – Chairman
* Professor Dr. Salim Katea Ali – Member
* Assistant Professor Dr. Ali Abdul Karim Hussein – Member
* Assistant Professor Dr. Haider Abdul Kadhim – Member and Supervisor
The committee decided to accept the thesis and award the student a Master of Science degree in Political Science with distinction
