Gulf Influence in Afghanistan: From Competition to Strategic Cooperation

Following the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan in August 2021, the regional geopolitical landscape witnessed a significant recalibration. As major international powers maneuvered to fill the resulting power vacuum, key Gulf states—namely Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Saudi Arabia—began to redefine their engagement with Afghanistan through deliberate and strategic initiatives. This evolving posture marked a departure from earlier patterns of competition, toward a more coordinated and complementary framework that encompasses diplomatic, economic, and humanitarian dimensions.
The UAE: Leveraging Economic Instruments as Soft Power
In the post-withdrawal context, the UAE has asserted itself as a prominent soft power actor through economic and strategic channels. A notable example of this influence is the agreement with GAAC Solutions to operate the airports in Kabul, Herat, and Kandahar. This arrangement not only enhances the UAE’s logistical footprint but also offers it indirect oversight over civil aviation activity—providing strategic leverage in a domain under international scrutiny.
Beyond aviation, Emirati influence has extended into critical sectors:
Healthcare: Through BRS Ventures, the UAE manages key hospitals in Kabul and supports maternal health initiatives, reinforcing its humanitarian presence.
Renewable Energy: PAL 4 Solar Energy has announced plans to develop a 3,000-megawatt solar project, aiming to address a substantial portion of Afghanistan’s electricity needs.
Telecommunications: Etisalat has maintained a significant investment presence since 2006, positioning the UAE as a long-standing player in this vital sector.
Through these ventures, the UAE aims to establish itself as a first mover in Afghanistan’s economic landscape, offering a pragmatic model of engagement that balances political ambiguity with tangible development, thereby attracting the attention of both U.S. and European stakeholders.

Qatar: A Pillar of Mediation and Humanitarian Engagement
Qatar has emerged as a central diplomatic actor in Afghanistan, combining mediation, economic cooperation, and humanitarian support. Since hosting the Taliban’s political office in Doha in 2013, Qatar has played a pivotal role in facilitating dialogue, including sponsoring the 2020 U.S.-Taliban agreement and convening the ongoing “Doha Process” involving the Taliban, the United Nations, and regional powers. Moreover, Qatar has consistently advocated for human rights, particularly in areas related to education and women’s empowerment, in global forums.
On the economic front, Qatar has initiated exploratory investments in solar energy and entered into agreements to employ skilled Afghan labor in its domestic market, helping to mitigate Afghanistan’s unemployment challenges. Humanitarian assistance, primarily channeled through the Qatar Fund for Development and affiliated charities, has targeted health, education, and food security, with a special focus on supporting women and orphans.
Qatar’s approach is characterized by quiet diplomacy and flexible partnerships, positioning it as a credible and influential mediator in shaping Afghanistan’s trajectory.
Saudi Arabia: From Strategic Containment to Direct Engagement
Saudi Arabia has adopted a dual-pronged strategy that combines soft power with direct diplomatic engagement. In addition to leveraging its institutional influence through organizations such as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) to deliver aid and relief, Riyadh has taken the significant step of reopening its embassy in Kabul, signaling a shift from passive observation to active involvement.
The reopening of the embassy provides Saudi Arabia with an official diplomatic presence and a direct channel of communication with Afghan authorities. Concurrently, it continues to build its soft power through religious and cultural engagement, reinforcing its role as a traditional and moral authority in the Muslim world.
Strategic Alignment with the United States
The effectiveness of Gulf engagement in Afghanistan is amplified by each state’s strategic relationship with the United States. These partnerships enhance their capacity to operate as credible actors in a complex and fragile environment. With the U.S. adopting an indirect approach to Afghan affairs—prioritizing security containment and conflict management without a military footprint—Gulf states have emerged as indispensable partners capable of executing vital functions on the ground across diplomatic, economic, and humanitarian fronts.
This alignment not only extends the reach of U.S. interests but also strengthens Gulf influence in regional dynamics, affording them a comparative advantage over other regional actors.
Conclusion
The evolution of Gulf strategies toward Afghanistan reflects a nuanced understanding of shifting global and regional dynamics. The transition from traditional competition to structured cooperation underscores the emergence of a collective Gulf approach—one that leverages differentiated strengths in diplomacy, development, and soft power.
Qatar’s diplomatic facilitation, the UAE’s economic engagement, and Saudi Arabia’s religious and cultural influence coalesce into a coherent and complementary force. This integrated model of regional diplomacy serves both the national interests of Gulf states and the broader objective of promoting stability in Afghanistan. More broadly, it presents a new paradigm of adaptive, pragmatic regional engagement—capable of navigating the complexities of post-conflict state-building in one of the world’s most volatile arenas.
The original article was published on the Al-Ain News platform, United Arab Emirates

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