Wikipedia

Qatar–United States relations

Qatar and the United States are strategic allies. Qatar has been designated a major non-NATO ally by the United States.[1]

Qatar–United States relations
Map indicating locations of Qatar and USA

Qatar
United States

History

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The United States formed diplomatic relations with Qatar on 19 March 1972, when diplomat William Stoltzfus met with Qatari government officials and submitted his credentials.[2] Bilateral relations between the two countries have expanded since the opening of the U.S. embassy in Doha in March 1973.[3] The first resident U.S. ambassador arrived in July 1974. Qatar and the United States coordinate closely on Middle Eastern regional diplomatic initiatives to increase security in the Persian Gulf. The two countries also have extensive economic links, especially in the hydrocarbons sector.[4] Qatar has also developed international educational institutions in the region to cater to the Middle Eastern market.[5][6] Qatar also hosts an American military facility.[7]

 
Joe Biden participates in a bilateral meeting with Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, January 2022
 
United States President Donald Trump with the Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, May 2017

During the 2017 Qatar diplomatic crisis, the United States President Donald Trump claimed credit for engineering the diplomatic crisis in a series of tweets.[8] On 6 June, Trump began by tweeting: "During my recent trip to the Middle East I stated that there can no longer be funding of Radical Ideology. Leaders pointed to Qatar – look!"[9][8] An hour and a half later, he remarked on Twitter that it was "good to see the Saudi Arabia visit with the King and 50 countries already paying off. They said they would take a hard line on funding extremism, and all reference [sic] was pointing to Qatar. Perhaps this will be the beginning of the end to the horror of terrorism!"[10][11][12] This was in contrast to attempts by The Pentagon and State department to remain neutral. The Pentagon praised Qatar for hosting the Al Udeid Air Base and for its "enduring commitment to regional security." U.S. Ambassador to Qatar, Dana Shell Smith, sent a similar message.[13][14] Earlier, the US Secretary of State had taken a neutral stance and called for dialogue.[15] Qatar hosts about 10,000 U.S. troops at Al Udeid Air Base, which houses the forward operating base of United States Central Command that plays a commanding role in US airstrikes in Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan.[16][12][17] A Pentagon spokesperson claimed the diplomatic crisis would not affect the US military posture in Qatar.[12][8] On 8 June, President Donald Trump, during a phone call with the Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, offered as a mediator in the conflict with a White House meeting between the parties if necessary.[18] The offer was declined, and Qatari official stated, "The emir has no plans to leave Qatar while the country is under a blockade."[19]

On 30 January 2018 an inaugural United States-Qatar Strategic Dialogue meeting was held, co-chaired by U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, U.S. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis, Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Khalid al-Attiyah and Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. The meeting expressed the need for an immediate resolution of the crisis which respects Qatar's sovereignty. In a Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation the U.S. expressed its readiness to deter and confront any external threat to Qatar's territorial integrity. Qatar offered to help fund the expansion of facilities at U.S. bases in Qatar.[20][21]

Educational ties

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Main article: Qatari involvement in higher education in the United States

Over 1,000 Qatari students study in the United States.[22] Six U.S. universities have branch campuses in Qatar's Education City complex. There are Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar (VCUQ), Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar (WCMC-Q), Texas A&M University at Qatar (TAMUQ), Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar (CMU-Q), Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar (SFS-Qatar),[23] and Northwestern University[24] in 2008.

The relationship between Qatar and the American Academy began in the 1970s and 1980s. In the twenty-first century, Qatar has become the largest foreign donor. Between 2001 and 2021, Qatar donated $4.7 billion to a variety of academic institutions across the United States.[25][26]

Diplomatic exchanges

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Diplomatic visits

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Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani visited Washington in July 2019,[27] and President George W. Bush visited Qatar in 2003 where he spoke to troops stationed there.[28] Donald Rumsfeld, the 21st Secretary of Defense from 2001 to 2006, also visited Qatar in 2002.[29] Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited Qatar in February 2010,[30] and Secretary John Kerry traveled to Qatar in March 2013.[31]

Post Sheikh Tamim and Donald Trump's meeting in July 2019, Qatar agreed to purchase "tremendous amounts of military equipment" and Boeing planes from the United States.[32][33] The deal has been signed with some of the major US companies, including Boeing, General Electric, Raytheon, Gulfstream Aerospace and Chevron Phillips Chemical and is expected to cost tens of billions of dollars. Sheikh Tamim also announced to double Qatar's current economic partnership of more than $185 billion with the US.[34]

President Biden and his top advisors have made several visits to Qatar during the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. The visits were focused on advancing negotiations to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas and discussing the war in Gaza.[35][36][37]

On 24 October 2024, Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani of Qatar, alongside U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, met in Doha to discuss the Gaza conflict, emphasizing the need for a ceasefire and efforts to release hostages. Al Thani expressed concerns about the expansion of the war to Lebanon and called for the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701. Both leaders stressed the importance of finding a long-term solution for Gaza and the West Bank, with Blinken highlighting U.S. and Qatari roles in humanitarian aid and diplomacy to stabilize the region. [38]

Diplomatic efforts

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Qatar's Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani meets with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, 12 June 2024

Qatar mediated a deal between the United States and Iran, which in September 2023 saw the release of five prisoners in each country and the unfreezing of US$6 billion of Iranian funds, which had been frozen due to sanctions imposed by the U.S.[39][40] The U.S. citizens were flown to Doha and greeted by U.S. ambassador to Qatar Timmy T. Davis[41] and Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker[42] before boarding a plane to Washington, D.C..[43] U.S. President Biden thanked Sheik Tamim and Qatari officials for their role in the mediation as well as establishing a "Humanitarian channel" for Iran.[44] The US$6 billion were released to banks in Doha[43] under the condition that Iran could use the funds only for humanitarian purposes.[40]

During the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Qatari officials set up meetings with both countries, hoping to make progress on further talks regarding Iran's uranium enrichment and export of drones.[45]

In 7 October 2023, the Israel-Hamas conflict escalated, following a massive invasion of Israeli territory by Palestinian militant organizations. Amid the conflict, Qatar played a crucial role in securing the release of two American hostages from Hamas.[46] This act of mediation was highly praised by US President Joe Biden. Additionally, Qatar Airways facilitated the safe return of more than 200 Australians from Israel.[47][48]

Residential staff

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United States

Principal U.S. officials include:

The U.S. maintains an embassy[49] in Doha, Qatar.

Qatar

Principal Qatari officials include:

Qatar maintains an embassy in Washington, DC.[50]

Bilateral Trade

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Qatar and the United States enjoy close economic and trade relations. The United States is Qatar's fifth trading partner and the primary source of imports which amounts to $4.108bn. During January–August 2021, the Qatar-US bilateral trade reached $3.2bn.[51]

The US has officially designated Qatar as a major non-NATO ally, enhancing the partnership between Doha and Washington and giving the Gulf country special economic and military privileges in its relationship with the US.[52] This marks Qatar's third Gulf ally, following Kuwait and Bahrain. The US State Department praised the designation as a symbol of the close relationship and respect for the friendship between the two countries.[53][54]

Military

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Al Udeid Air Base in 2022

Beginning in 1992, Qatar has built intimate military ties with the United States, and is now the location of U.S. Central Command's Forward Headquarters and the Combined Air Operations Center.

As of 2015, the following American bases currently exist:

In 2003, the US military base Doha International Air Base (also known as Camp Snoopy) was closed.[55]

Former US Defense Secretary Robert Gates stated in May 2017 that he doesn't "know instances in which Qatar aggressively goes after (terror finance) networks of Hamas, Taliban, Al-Qaeda," and that "My attitudes toward Al-Udeid and any other facility is that the United States military doesn’t have any irreplaceable facility."[56] Qatar hosts the largest American base in the Middle East, the Al Udeid Air Base, which has been used by the United States in its campaigns in Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan.[57]

In 2014, the United States sold $11 billion worth of arms to Qatar, including AH-64 Apache attack helicopters and Patriot and Javelin defense systems.[58]

In June 2017, Qatar signed a $12 billion deal to buy 36 F-15QA strike aircraft from the United States, with Boeing as the prime contractor on the sale.[59]

Disaster aid

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Qatar donated $100 million in aid to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast in August 2005.[60]

When Hurricane Harvey hit the state of Texas from August to September 2017, Qatar's ambassador announced on 8 September that the country would be donating $30 million in aid to help rebuild Texas.[61]

References

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  1. ^ Shear, Michael D. (31 January 2022). "Biden Designates Qatar as a Major Non-NATO Ally". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  2. ^ "A Guide to the United States' History of Recognition, Diplomatic, and Consular Relations, by Country, since 1776: Qatar". U.S. Department of State. Retrieved 3 June 2018.
  3. ^ "Background Note: Qatar". U.S. Department of State. 19 January 2012. Retrieved 13 February 2012.
  4. ^ "The Importance of Qatar to the US Economy". Arab-American Business. Archived from the original on 12 February 2012. Retrieved 13 February 2012.
  5. ^ "Higher Education in Qatar". www.edu.gov.qa. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
  6. ^ "Our Universities in Qatar". www.qf.org.qa. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
  7. ^ "Military Bases in Qatar". Military Bases. Retrieved 13 February 2012.
  8. ^ a b c "Qatar row: Trump claims credit for isolation". BBC.
  9. ^ Trump, Donald J. [@realDonaldTrump] (6 June 2017). "During my recent trip to the Middle East I stated that there can no longer be funding of Radical Ideology. Leaders pointed to Qatar – look!" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 6 June 2017. Retrieved 7 June 2017 – via Twitter.
  10. ^ Trump, Donald J. [@realDonaldTrump] (6 June 2017). "So good to see the Saudi Arabia visit with the King and 50 countries already paying off. They said they would take a hard line on funding..." (Tweet). Archived from the original on 6 June 2017. Retrieved 7 June 2017 – via Twitter.
  11. ^ Trump, Donald J. [@realDonaldTrump] (6 June 2017). "...extremism, and all reference was pointing to Qatar. Perhaps this will be the beginning of the end to the horror of terrorism!" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 6 June 2017. Retrieved 7 June 2017 – via Twitter.
  12. ^ a b c "The Latest: Trump says Qatar dispute could end terror". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 6 June 2017.
  13. ^ "U.S. military praises Qatar, despite Trump tweet". Reuters. 6 June 2017. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
  14. ^ "Trump appears to take credit for Gulf nations' move against Qatar". CNN.
  15. ^ "Tillerson says break with Qatar by Saudi Arabia, others won't affect counter-terrorism". CNBC. 5 June 2017. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
  16. ^ "Trump sides with Saudis, other Arab nations against Qatar". ABC News. Go.
  17. ^ "Siding against ally Qatar, Trump injects US into Arab crisis". The Chronicle Herald. The Canadian Press. 6 June 2017. Retrieved 6 June 2017.
  18. ^ Gaouette, Nicole; Browne, Ryan. "Trump reverses course in Qatar call". CNN. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
  19. ^ "Qatar vows no surrender in Gulf crisis as U.S., Kuwait seek solution". Reuters. 8 June 2017. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
  20. ^ Calamur, Krishnadev (31 January 2018). "America Wins the Gulf Crisis". The Atlantic. Retrieved 9 March 2018.
  21. ^ "Joint Statement of the Inaugural United States-Qatar Strategic Dialogue". U.S. Department of State. 30 January 2018. Retrieved 9 March 2018.
  22. ^ Pandit, Mobin; Haroon, Azmat (30 October 2012). "Qataris in US safe as Sandy strikes". The Peninsula Qatar. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
  23. ^ School of Foreign Service in Qatar: Georgetown University Archived 6 April 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  24. ^ "Northwestern University in Qatar". Retrieved 8 November 2008.
  25. ^ "הפוליטיקה מאחורי תרומות הענק: האקדמיה בארה"ב הפכה לזרוע ההסתה של קטאר". www.zman.co.il (in Hebrew). 30 January 2024. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
  26. ^ "College Foreign Gift Reporting". Retrieved 31 January 2024.
  27. ^ "Obama, Qatar's Amir Tamim After Their Meeting". U.S. Department of State. 24 February 2015. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
  28. ^ "George W. Bush – Remarks to Troops – Sayliyah, Qatar". Presidential Rhetoric. 5 June 2003. Retrieved 13 February 2012.
  29. ^ Blitzer, Wolf (11 December 2002). "Rumsfeld secures cooperation in the Gulf". CNN. Archived from the original on 18 October 2010. Retrieved 8 November 2008.
  30. ^ "Public Liaison E-newsletter" (PDF). U.S. Department of State. 22 February 2010. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
  31. ^ "Kerry, Qatari Prime Minister Hamad in Doha, Qatar". U.S. Department of State. 5 March 2013. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
  32. ^ "US and Qatar ink deals for 'tremendous amounts' of military weapons and Boeing planes". ABC News. 10 July 2019. Retrieved 10 July 2019.
  33. ^ "Qatar Agrees to Buy U.S. Aircraft, Engines, Defense Equipment". Bloomberg. 9 July 2019. Retrieved 9 July 2019.
  34. ^ "Trump expands embrace of Persian Gulf monarchies as Qatar inks deals with U.S. companies". The Washington Post. Retrieved 9 July 2019.
  35. ^ https://www.axios.com/2024/01/21/israel-hamas-gaza-hostages-biden-qatar-egypt
  36. ^ https://www.state.gov/secretary-blinkens-travel-to-france-egypt-israel-jordan-qatar-and-italy/
  37. ^ https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/04/politics/middle-east-gaza-ceasefire-deal-biden-officials/index.html
  38. ^ "Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani at a Joint Press Availability". United States Department of State. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  39. ^ "Why the U.S.-Iran Prisoner Swap Matters". Time. 18 September 2023. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  40. ^ a b "Iran prisoner swap: US citizens freed in $6bn deal". BBC News. 18 September 2023. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  41. ^ "Qatar's separate talks with Iran, US on drones, nuclear programme: Report". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  42. ^ Salari, Fatemeh (19 September 2023). "Qatar says prisoner swap could pave way for better understanding between Iran-US". Doha News. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  43. ^ a b "Five Americans freed in Iran prisoner swap land in US". BBC News. 19 September 2023. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  44. ^ "On Iran's Release of Unjustly Detained U.S. Citizens". United States Department of State. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  45. ^ Nakhoul, Samia; Mills, Andrew; Hafezi, Parisa (20 September 2023). "Analysis: Qatar pursues US-Iranian nuclear steps after detainee swap". Reuters. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  46. ^ "Biden thanks Qatar, Israel after 2 American hostages freed by Hamas". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  47. ^ Gettleman, Jeffrey; Goldman, Adam; Wong, Edward; Hubbard, Ben (21 October 2023). "How Two American Hostages Were Set Free From Gaza". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  48. ^ Al-Mughrabi, Nidal; Cox, Eric; Al-Mughrabi, Nidal (21 October 2023). "Released by Hamas, American mother, daughter reunited with family". Reuters. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  49. ^ "Embassy of the United States in Doha, Qatar". U.S. Department of State. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
  50. ^ a b "Embassy of Qatar in Washington, D.C."
  51. ^ "Qatari-US trade reaches $3.2bn during Jan–Aug". thepeninsulaqatar.com. 13 October 2021. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
  52. ^ "Biden designates Qatar as major non-NATO ally of U.S." Reuters. 10 March 2022. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
  53. ^ "US officially designates Qatar as a major non-NATO ally". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
  54. ^ Shear, Michael D. (31 January 2022). "Biden Designates Qatar as a Major Non-NATO Ally". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
  55. ^ "U.S. downsizing in Gulf, quitting Camp Snoopy". World Tribune. 13 May 2003. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  56. ^ "Sanctions, leaving military base 'possible options against Qatar'". 27 May 2017.
  57. ^ Lendon, Brad (5 June 2017). "Qatar hosts largest US military base in Mideast". CNN. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
  58. ^ "Qatar buying US helicopters, missiles in multi-billion dollar deal". Business Line. 15 July 2014. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
  59. ^ "Qatar signs $12 billion deal to buy F-15 jets from U.S." Reuters. 14 June 2017. Retrieved 15 June 2017.
  60. ^ Stephanie Strom (2 May 2006). "Qatar Grants Millions in Aid to New Orleans". The New York Times. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
  61. ^ "Qatar donates $30m to help Harvey victims in Texas". Al Jazeera. 8 September 2017. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
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