Qatar is a country in the Middle East. It is a neighbor of Saudi Arabia.

Doha, the capital, is located at the seaside. The rest of the country is a desert.

Qatar is very small, but it is very rich thanks to its huge gas and oil deposits. 

The rulers of the country use this wealth to ensure the prosperity of the Qatari people.

They also use this money to organize major sporting events, such as the 2022 World Cup.

Why do they do this?

To develop Qatar, and to establish links with other countries. The Qataris hope to have influence on the rest of the world.

But everywhere on the planet, voices are being raised to criticize this strategy.

First, because the climate in Qatar is very hot. This is a problem for hosting sports competitions.

It is so hot that even the stadiums are air-conditioned. This waste of energy is shocking for all those who want to protect the planet.

Moreover, the country does not respect human rights, such as women’s rights or workers’ rights.

Qatar employs thousands of foreign workers. Many are mistreated, and some die on construction sites because of poor working conditions.

Under international pressure, the country is trying to improve things. But many believe that it is still not enough.