Qatar‘s Defence Pact with U.S. Raises Questions About Shifting Alliances & American Leverage in the Middle East
WASHINGTON – A recently formalized defense cooperation agreement between the United States and Qatar is sparking debate over evolving dynamics in the middle East,with analysts suggesting a growing sense of disillusionment among Gulf states regarding both U.S. reliability and Israeli actions. The pact, granting Qatar a level of security assurance typically reserved for NATO allies, comes amidst increasing frustration over perceived U.S. responses to regional conflicts and a growing willingness by Gulf nations to pursue option security arrangements.
The agreement has drawn scrutiny for its perceived imbalance. unlike typical defense treaties, the executive order signed by former President Trump contains the word “mutual” only once and uses “our” just once, highlighting a potential one-sided commitment. “This deal with Qatar basically shows that checkbook diplomacy can be more prosperous than doing the actual burden-sharing that we officially ask – and even demand – of our allies,” noted Jonathan Ruhe of the Jewish Institute for National Security of america, adding, “We’re putting our necks on the line much more than Qatar is.”
This sentiment is fueled by recent events, including Israel’s airstrike in Doha, which failed to eliminate intended Hamas targets, and Iran’s significant attack on Al Udeid Air Base – America’s largest in the region – which required a significant expenditure of U.S. Patriot interceptors, prompting public comment from the Joint Chiefs chairman. “I’ve been reading a lot of the Gulf responses as a Gulf realization that the Iranians are not their friends and the Israelis are also not going to be their friends,” observed Brian Carter of the American Enterprise Institute. Further exacerbating tensions, Gulf states have expressed frustration with Israel’s operations in Syria following the fall of the Assad regime.
The Qatar-U.S. pact isn’t occurring in a vacuum. Saudi Arabia recently signed a defense agreement with Pakistan in September, a move with potential “nuclear overtones” that has received less attention, but signals a diminishing trust in U.S. security guarantees.
Adding to the complexity,qatar gifted the U.S. a Boeing 747 earlier this year, which former President Trump expressed enthusiasm about accepting, calling it “stupid” not to. However, the offer triggered political and counterintelligence concerns, with the Air Force estimating renovation costs between $400 million and $1 billion.
The U.S. has already invested heavily in the region, spending $9.6-$12 billion on military operations in Iran, Yemen, and surrounding areas between October 2023 and September 2025, including the deployment of aircraft carriers and the loss of Super Hornets.This expenditure casts doubt on the long-touted “Pacific pivot” strategy.
Experts suggest the dynamic of U.S. bases in the Middle East is shifting. “Traditionally it’s assumed that bases offer Washington leverage with the host capital,” explained Behnam Ben Taleblu of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. “Now, in the Middle East, base politics seem to be operating in the background of larger strategic deliberations, offering the host more – not less – leverage the longer the relationship continues.”
Despite these shifting sands, the U.S. appears poised to maintain a significant presence in the region, even as the foundations of its conventional alliances are being re-evaluated.
