Qatar: Friend or foe?

Is it feasible for a state to be a major military ally of both the United States and Iran—and be a partner of both countries in fighting terror? Apparently yes.

Qatar, the Persian Gulf state that has been an important ally of America’s since the late 1990s and particularly since the war on terror began—today hosting the biggest U.S. airbase outside of America—has just signed a defense treaty with Iran, the world’s prime state sponsor of terror.

Iran and Qatar signed a memorandum of understanding for defense cooperation on February 24. Following the signing, Qatari Chief of Staff Hamid bin Ali Al-Atiya said, “Certainly, this cooperation document will lead to the stabilization of peace and security in the region and will have positive effects on the expansion of bilateral ties between the two countries.”

The agreement covers “the exchange of technical and expert delegations, the expansion of cooperation in personnel training and joint campaigns against terrorism and elements behind regional insecurity.” debkafile points out that the “elements behind regional insecurity” refer to the U.S. and Israel.

The treaty also opens the door for Iranian troops to be stationed in Qatar.

debkafile reports:

The big U.S. air base was established at Al Udeid, Qatar, to keep the Persian Gulf and its oil resources safe and curb Iranian expansion. That its rulers were now willing to host the Iranian defense minister and establish military ties with Tehran is another landmark in that expansion drive and a serious setback for America’s regional standing.

Qatar—an ally of the U.S. in its war on terror—is actually strengthening defense ties with the biggest state sponsor of terror. This clearly demonstrates the unreliable nature of America’s “moderate” Arab allies and calls into question Washington’s ability to influence them.