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How Qatar's Policy Endangers U.S. Interests in the Middle East

(Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs) Lt.-Col. (ret.) Jonathan D. Halevi - The Israeli strike on a Hamas leadership gathering in Qatar's capital, Doha, has drawn international attention to the close ties between Qatar and Hamas, and the threat Qatar poses to American interests in the Middle East. Qatar presents itself as a U.S. ally in the fight against terrorism, claiming it hosts Hamas's office at the U.S.'s request to maintain open communication for promoting peace in the region. Qatar's policy toward the U.S. is based on strategic deception. Qatar has demonstrated full political support for Hamas, providing nearly $2 billion in aid to Gaza. This aid has been administered by Hamas and has contributed to strengthening its military wing in preparation for the Oct. 7 attack. Hamas leadership viewed Qatar as a close and preferred ally over Egypt, thanks to Qatar's mobilization of its institutions to advance Palestinian goals. Qatar's financial support continued even as Hamas leadership publicly reiterated its coordination with the Shiite axis of Iran and its proxies - for the "Promise of the Hereafter Battle" aimed at destroying the State of Israel and reshaping the Middle East. Hamas's plan included overthrowing pro-Western regimes in the Middle East and establishing the "Great Islamic Revolution," meaning a caliphate - an Islamic state - on the ruins of Israel and Arab regimes. The writer is a senior researcher of the Middle East and radical Islam at the Jerusalem Center.
2025-09-11 00:00:00
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