Force Structures

The final authority in defense matters rests with the emir, who is the commander in chief of the armed forces.

Qatar's active military force numbers about 15,000. Pakistanis, Indians, and Iranians figure heavily in the mix. Enlisted ranks had largely been composed of nonprofessional foreign nationals, forcing the government to approve a law making it compulsory for men between the ages of 18 and 35 in the Gulf state to perform military service for up to four months. For graduates...