President Donald Trump has issued an executive order committing to utilizing all available means, including military intervention, to safeguard Qatar amid escalating tensions in the region following an Israeli airstrike that resulted in six fatalities.
The executive order underscores the strong collaboration and mutual interests between the United States and Qatar, promising to uphold the security and territorial integrity of Qatar against external threats.
According to the order, any armed aggression targeting Qatar’s territory, sovereignty, or critical infrastructure will be considered a menace to the peace and security of the United States. In such a scenario, Washington will employ all lawful and necessary actions, encompassing diplomatic, economic, and potentially military measures, to protect the interests of both nations and restore tranquility.
This executive order coincided with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Washington, where Trump facilitated a conversation between Netanyahu and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani. During this call, Netanyahu expressed deep regret for the strike on Doha and extended apologies for the operation that targeted senior Hamas figures, resulting in casualties, including the son of a senior Hamas official and an aide.
The White House disclosed that Trump aimed to improve Israeli-Qatari relations after years of discord and communication breakdowns. Netanyahu reportedly assured Qatar that a similar attack would not be repeated, receiving a positive response from PM al-Thani, who reaffirmed Qatar’s commitment to regional security.
The Israeli strike in Doha strained relations between the US and Israel, with Trump chastising Netanyahu in a contentious call, criticizing the attack as unwise and expressing displeasure at being informed by the US military rather than Israel.
Despite public condemnation by Trump, some experts speculate that his reaction was merely a show, while reports suggest Netanyahu had informed Trump of the plans earlier, a claim Trump has consistently denied.
Qatar, a wealthy nation in the Persian Gulf known for its abundant natural gas reserves, has long been a key ally of the US, hosting America’s Central Command forward operating base at Al Udeid Air Base. In 2022, President Joe Biden designated Qatar as a major non-NATO ally in recognition of its support during the US withdrawal from Afghanistan.
This executive order comes as other Gulf nations reevaluate their security arrangements in response to regional instability. Following the Israeli strike, Saudi Arabia entered into a mutual defense agreement with Pakistan, aligning the kingdom with Islamabad’s nuclear deterrent.
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