Qatar was mainly subservient to Saudi Arabia in matters relating to foreign policy.[1] Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani's assumption of power saw Qatar reclaim its sovereignty in foreign affairs, often diverging from Saudi Arabia on many geopolitical issues. In 1996, the Qatari government launched Al Jazeera in a bid to consolidate soft power. One of the most watched news stations in the Arab world, Al Jazeera proved to be a wedge in the two's bilateral relations as it routinely criticized Saudi Arabia's ruler.[2] The network also provided a platform for Islamist groups which are considered a threat to Saudi Arabia's monarchy.[3]