Hard truths about soft power

The sub-optimal outcomes of Qatar's image management project hold salutary lessons for India

The tiny nation of Qatar has reportedly spent well over $200 billion to host the 22nd edition of the Fifa World Cup, far and away more than any other former tournament host. As with neighbouring Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia, state-backed investment in football, specifically European football, has been this prosperous gas-rich nation’s 

instrument of choice to build up its soft power base.

Ironically, throwing money at the issue hasn’t achieved much. In Western eyes, even as Europe gobbles up its dollars and its gas,Qatar remains an authoritarian Islamic polity that exploits South Asian labour at levels that shade into slavery. Ahead