The role of Energy Diplomacy to Foreign Policy; A Comparative Study of Russia & Qatar

Abstract

Producers and consumers of energy have sought to balance benefits and costs in production, trade and security of energy to afford their national interests. In this regard the study of Qatari and Russian energy polices as the two most important suppliers of oil and gas is important. The main question of the present article is as follows: how these actors use energy polices for upgrading national interests and which strategies they set to contribute energy diplomacy to foreign policy? The findings illustrate that despite both Qatar and Russia pursue a better position at regional and international levels and improve soft power in foreign policy, their achievements are not alike. While Russia has failed to generate soft power due to having a political and military approach to energy, Qatar has gained a torrent benefits such as socio-economic development and making a positive international image through economic diversification and avoiding political leveraging. moreover the export strategy and the kind of relations with the United states affects the energy diplomacy of Qatar and Russia.

Keywords

• energy diplomacy؛ foreign policy؛ russia؛ qatar
• economy