Qatar

The United Arab Emirates and Qatari armed forces started joint air, sea and land military exercises on May 27, in order to increase their level of preparedness for missions within the two countries' territorial waters. The exercises, dubbed 'Peace Shield 1/2012', will involve all armed forces sections over an unspecified period. Qatar's willingness to improve its own military bodes well for the country's security. That said, the exercises have mainly a symbolic value, as the Gulf state's territorial integrity is guaranteed by the presence in the country of the U.S.'s biggest and most important air base in the Middle East.

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