Crashing oil prices aren't the only reason Qatar might suddenly be worried about money (USO, OIL)

Fitria Ramli / Shutterstock The impending closure of Al Jazeera America is baffling in some respects. Qatar turned into one of the Middle East's rising countries through a smart and patient "soft power" strategy. The kingdom spread its influence through global investments in real estate and news media, an outsized interest in high diplomacy, and the hosting of major global events like the World Cup. Al Jazeera America was launched in 2013 as the result of a contentious $500 million purchase of...