ABSTRACT
In the post-2006 election era, Hamas was thrust into the regional geopolitical milieu. Hamas thus became far more susceptible to the oscillating fortunes of Egypt and Syria while simultaneously being drawn into the geopolitical machinations of rising states such as Iran, Qatar, and Turkey. As the costs of Gaza’s economic and political siege increased, Hamas’s desire to remain a viable political actor exposed it to regional diplomatic forces it had not previously experienced. Therefore, this chapter aims to investigate how Hamas copes with its efforts to enter in regional alliances. The chapter begins by providing an analytical framework within which to explain Hamas’s actions. The chapter is then divided between Hamas’s diplomatic relationships with the so-called Axis of Resistance consisting of Iran, Syria, and Hezbollah, and the Brotherhood-friendly bloc of Qatar and Turkey. However, given the historical, political, and cultural importance of Egypt, its shifting allegiances vis-à-vis Hamas, and impact on Hamas’s fortunes, it will be dealt with separately. The chapter highlights how Hamas’s regional alliance building efforts are based on pragmatic diplomatic and political rationales, rather than upon ideological affinity. However, it also illustrates the diplomatic perils the stateless Palestinians face, especially when confronted by regional geopolitical struggles for power.
