Rocco,
I think the bomb attack you mentioned was oustide a theater here and killed one British citizen a few years back, i might be wrong but i think this was an "isolated" act rather than something linked to any international terrorist group..
Personnal safety is not an issue here, eventhough as an expanding city the "small" criminality is rising: robbery,traffic of fake items....Doha is not an exception.In so many years here i was just harassed ones (i'm a male) while doing my weekly walk on the corniche by a Koweity homosexual who wants to have sex with me....
i remained polite and said :"no thanks.."
.
My physical integrity has never been in danger..
As long as your wife is not going out wearing Mini-skirt and "revealing" clothes,you don't have to be worry, she will not be harassed..
Qatar is the most conservative muslim country in the gulf .(compared to Dubai, Abu Dhabi,Bahrein or Muscat..).
You "can" drive like a criminal on the road, smoke in all the "non smoking" outlet here, nothing will happens to you,BUT don't try to have a cigaret in the street during ramadan,you might and you will be in trouble! that's something ,even today for me, difficult to understand, and i'm sure i'm not the only one....
Yes Qatar accomodation do provide security.
Cheers.