This week, President Trump signed an executive order aimed at providing Qatar with NATO-like security guarantees to defend against foreign threats.
The new policy commits the U.S. to ensure “security and territorial integrity” for Qatar in light of recent events, particularly the Israeli missile strike on Hamas leaders in Doha on September 9.
“The United States perceives armed attacks on Qatar’s territory, sovereignty, or critical infrastructure as a threat to U.S. peace and security,” the order, released by the White House on Wednesday, states.
In case of such an attack, the U.S. is prepared to take various legal and appropriate actions—this spans diplomatic, economic, and, if needed, military responses—to defend both American interests and Qatar.
The directive also instructs officials to keep an emergency response plan in place with Qatar to swiftly tackle any foreign aggression.
Trump signed the order on Monday, coinciding with a visit from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who expressed his “deep regret” about the missile strike during a call involving Qatar’s Mohammed bin Abdulman bin Jasim Arni.
In discussions at the White House, it was noted that Netanyahu “suggested that Israel would refrain from similar attacks moving forward.”
Reports indicate that the strike resulted in the deaths of six individuals, including Qatari security personnel, while Hamas leaders were engaged in ceasefire negotiations with Qatari representatives at the time.
Qatar’s capital Doha was notably impacted by the Israeli missiles, notably targeting Hamas leadership.
The order praises Qatar as a steadfast ally and commends its role in mediating international conflicts, though it does not explicitly connect the recent Israeli strike as a catalyst for the new security assurances.
A White House official noted, “As the president stated, he has ensured that Qatar will never again face attacks on their soil.” Additionally, the official highlighted a historic trilateral call facilitated by Trump between Qatar and the Israeli Prime Minister, aiming to improve relations between the two.
In a manner akin to NATO’s Article V, which treats attacks on any member as an attack on all, this order emphasizes the collective defense of allies against aggression.
Trump has successfully negotiated over $243.5 billion in agreements with Qatar, which includes a $400 million 747 jet that he intends to use as a temporary replacement for Air Force One during his upcoming Gulf visit in March.
