The relationship between Qatar and the United States of America has spanned several decades of mutual interest, trade, and several other facets of inter-government diplomacy. Since relations were established in 1971, Qatar has played a constructive financial, political, and military role in addressing regional turmoil, and in partnership with the United States, has contributed to progress, stability, and prosperity in the region.
Qatar currently houses the largest US military base in the Middle East in Al Udeid Air Force Base and CENTCOM Forward Headquarters, and Qatar’s support of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) and the US military operations in the region.
More recently, Qatar has played an outsized role in the US efforts to evacuate tens of thousands of people from Afghanistan.
Qatar’s impartial diplomacy has enabled dialogues between the parties in Afghanistan and the US and European countries, who are now asking Doha to help shape what is next for Afghanistan as it has been a longtime mediator between the West and the Taliban.
In a phone conversation in August, US President Joe Biden thanked Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani for the country’s role in facilitating intra-Afghan talks and in helping with the evacuation efforts. Over 50,000 refugees have been housed in Doha, in what President Biden called “the largest airlift of people in history.”
Hence, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to Qatar for his first trip since the Taliban takeover comes as no shock as he seeks a united front with allies shaken by the chaos. Blinken met with H H the Amir yesterday and the Afghanistan situation was prominent in their discussion, QNA reported.
Meanwhile, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, also met H H the Amir.
Qatar has become a trusted mediator, initiating peace negotiations among the US, the collapsed Afghan government, and the Taliban as a US ally.
Qatar also announced on Saturday that it had reopened Kabul airport for humanitarian aid and domestic flights in coordination with the Taliban. Other international flights are expected to resume soon, officials said.
However, its role as a mediator started over ten years ago when the Obama administration sought to end the war in Afghanistan and Doha began hosting peace talks between the US and the Taliban. The Taliban opened its permanent political office in Doha in 2013, and negotiations continued until 2020, ending in an agreement with former President Trump administration to pull out US troops in 2021.
Qatar’s effort to ensure peace and stability in the region is highlighted again as it managed to navigate a potentially catastrophic situation into a diplomatic accomplishment.
