The US and Qatar announced their bid to expand bilateral ties in a Qatari Emir’s visit to Washington.
US President announced in a talk with Qatari Emir that the Washington intends to identify Doha as a key regional ally. The step would formalize US and Qatar’s alliance in a US strategy that means to attract new non-NATO allies.
Joe Biden hailed Qatar a great friend and trusted ally while hosting Sheikh Tamim in Washington. “I’m notifying Congress that I will designate Qatar as a major non-NATO ally to reflect the importance of our relationship; I think it’s long overdue,” Biden said at the White House.
The US and Qatar would benefit from exceptional financial and military perks as a result of close ties. After Kuwait, Doha will be the second GCC state to turn to a key non-NATO ally of the United States.
“The Major Non-NATO Ally designation is a powerful symbol of the close relationship the United States shares with those countries and demonstrates our deep respect for the friendship for the countries to which it is extended,” US State Department explains.
Qatari Emir is making his first trip to the US since Joe Biden assumed power at the White house a year ago. It happens in the midst of a political and strategic turmoil in the Europe. Concentrated on Eastern regions, Washington suspects Moscow of plotting an assault against Ukraine.
Washington asserted days earlier that the president will meet with Sheikh Tamim to address the integrity of global energy supply. Qatar is a leading supplier of liquefied natural gas in the world.
A third side to the political intimacy between the US and Qatar relates the ongoing conflict between Qatar and the four Arab countries including Saudi Arabia and UAE. The signals would not be negligible for Riyadh.
US and Qatar; A Central Regional Ally
US president stated yesterday that the US and Qatar alliance is “central” to many of the country’s significant interests. Qatar ‘s support in withdrawing US nationals and partners from Afghanistan during Washington’s turbulent departure last year was remarkable.
Qatar’s involvement in sustaining security in Gaza and securing aid to Palestine was also another incentive for the US. The humanitarian condition in Palestine as a result of Israeli aggressions, US ally, put Washington’s benefits at stake.
Qatari Emir indicated before the visit that he and president Biden will talk about a variety of topics. Among the issues covered were regional stability and equality for all people living in Palestine.
The complicated withdrawal operation from Afghanistan proved that the two states have the ability to work together effectively. “We’re going to continue working together to find ways to bring peace in our region,” Sheikh Tamim asserted ahead of the White House meeting.
The partnership between the US and Qatar has improved, and been improved by, Biden’s first year at office. Qatar was a key player in Afghanistan and the Persian Gulf, besides in efforts to resolve tensions with Iran. For the US, it Qatar is part of the efforts to reinforce America’s global ties.
Qatar Airways made an order for dozens of planes with the American worth over $20 billion during Sheikh Tamim’s visit. Biden praised the agreement, which realized at the heels of a legal row with the French Airbus Corp. The move indicates Washington’s planning to bypass the European rivals in attracting financial and political capital.
US and Qatar ties will also impact Saudi Arabia, marginalized after Biden took grip of power. As such, Qatar secured its benefits, against Saudi interests, in a partnership that benefits both sides.
