Qatar

Qatar hosts the U.S. Al Udeid Air Base, which has become the center of Coalition air operations against ISIS. The base is home to the forward headquarters of U.S. Central Command, and as of June 2017 hosted over 11,000 U.S. and U.S.-led anti-ISIS coalition forces with over 100 operational aircraft. … [Read more...] about Trump Approves $300 Million Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System Sale To Qatar

The Associated Press, Bloomberg, and other media reported on February 26 that the Saudis are pressing to include such advanced nuclear capabilities as part of a deal to establish a civilian nuclear power program, pointing to the official blessing given to Iran in its 2015 nuclear agreement with world powers, which allowed Tehran to continue limited enrichment activities in connection with its nuclear energy program. … [Read more...] about Saudis, Emiratis May Build Nuclear Waste Dump Along Border with Qatar

The second is the apparent direction of special counsel Robert S. Mueller III’s inquiry into foreign interference in the 2016 presidential election. The Mueller investigation appears to have broadened in scope to encompass alleged attempts from the UAE to influence members of the incoming administration as it took office and in the run-up to Trump’s meeting with gulf leaders in Riyadh in May 2017. The Emirati leadership is facing the prospect that they could be dragged into the controversy that hitherto has been concentrated primarily on Russia. … [Read more...] about Trump meets Qatar’s emir today. But efforts to resolve the Persian Gulf dispute have already stalled.

Last June, Mr. Trump stood in the Rose Garden and accepted the view of Qatar’s regional rivals, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, that the small energy-rich emirate was providing money to terrorist groups, cozying up to Iran and harboring fugitives. The Saudis and others had instituted a boycott of Qatar, citing terrorism financing, and Mr. Trump echoed their conclusions during a meeting with reporters. … [Read more...] about Trump Now Sees Qatar as an Ally Against Terrorism

But despite the fact that the meetings appeared identical, Trump had originally taken Saudi Arabia’s side in the ongoing diplomatic fallout between Riyadh and Doha, accusing the Qataris of supporting terrorists. Experts say that Tuesday’s shift is the result of an ongoing advocacy effort on the part of Qatar, which has employed an army of lobbyists to convince the administration that Qatar is a reliable ally for Washington.  … [Read more...] about Trump Sells Weapons to Qatar and Saudi Arabia As Gulf Dispute Drags On