From Resources to Usable Access: Network Position and Role-Specific Credibility in Qatar and Türkiye’s Gaza Mediation, 2023–2026

Abstract

Why did Qatar sustain an early and continuous mediation role in the Gaza crisis while Türkiye, despite a broader diplomatic and soft-power portfolio, obtained comparable mediation acceptance only later? This article addresses a conversion problem that soft-power research often leaves underspecified: the conditions under which relational and reputational resources become operationally usable diplomatic access and an accepted crisis-mediation role. It combines a qualitative comparative case-study design with Structured, Focused Comparison across Qatar and Türkiye from 7 October 2023 to September 2026. The evidence triangulates official and multilateral documents, high-quality independent reporting, relevant academic literature, and twelve semi-structured expert interviews used for interpretation rather than stand-alone verification. The article argues that resource abundance is insufficient. Early mediation utility depends on the conjunction of functional specialization, role compatibility, a network position that connects otherwise difficult-to-link actors, usable access to actors whose participation is necessary, and sufficient role-specific credibility among the relevant negotiating parties and sponsors. Qatar entered the crisis with this configuration already institutionalized, which helps explain the continuity of its role from the November 2023 pause through subsequent negotiation rounds. Türkiye initially possessed broad reach but weaker mediation-role compatibility in Gaza; its principal function was advocacy and public diplomacy. In late 2025, however, changing negotiating demand revalued Türkiye’s channels to Hamas and transformed previously underused or costly ties into usable mediation assets. The comparison refines soft-power conversion by locating a relational mechanism between resources and crisis-specific diplomatic utility and by showing that shocks can revalue resources over time.