By ABDULLAH The United States has formally pledged to defend Qatar against any external aggression, issuing a rare executive order that positions the Gulf nation under Washington’s direct security umbrella. The move comes weeks after Israeli air strikes on Doha killed several Hamas negotiators and a Qatari security officer, sparking outrage across the Arab world.
On Monday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order declaring that the US will treat “any armed attack” on Qatari territory as a threat to Washington itself. The order promises to take diplomatic, economic, and, if necessary, military measures to safeguard Qatar’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“In light of the continuing threats to the State of Qatar posed by foreign aggression, it is the policy of the United States to guarantee the security and territorial integrity of the State of Qatar against external attack,” the White House said.
The move underscores Qatar’s growing importance as a US partner in the Middle East. The Gulf nation hosts Al-Udeid Air Base, the largest US military base in the region, home to America’s Central Command operations.
The new guarantees follow Israel’s unprecedented strike on Qatari soil on September 9, targeting Hamas officials who were reportedly discussing a US-backed ceasefire plan for Gaza. While Hamas leaders escaped, several of their delegates and a Qatari officer were killed.
The attack drew condemnation across the Muslim world. Qatar labeled it “cowardly and treacherous,” while regional leaders rallied in solidarity during an emergency summit in Doha.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, visiting Washington this week, personally apologized to Qatar’s prime minister in a joint call with Trump. Netanyahu assured Doha there would be no repeat of the September 9 strikes.
Qatar has long played a unique role in regional diplomacy, balancing ties with Western powers and Palestinian factions. The small but wealthy Gulf state has mediated ceasefires between Hamas and Israel in the past and was central to talks around Gaza after the latest escalation.
Trump praised Qatar as a “steadfast ally in pursuit of peace, stability and prosperity.” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also visited Doha days after the attack, reaffirming what he called the “enduring US-Qatar security partnership.”
For Washington, securing Qatar is not only about protecting an ally but also about safeguarding critical infrastructure in the Gulf an area vital to global energy supply and US military strategy.
While Trump’s executive order sends a strong signal, some analysts note that binding US defense treaties usually require Senate approval. Historically, however, presidents have made international commitments without formal treaties, such as the 2015 Iran nuclear deal under Barack Obama.
Ultimately, whether the US would respond militarily to a future attack on Qatar depends on the sitting president’s decision. Still, the order is a major political gesture — one that places Qatar in a category closer to NATO-level allies than most Gulf states.
For Pakistani readers, the development is significant for three reasons:
- Gulf Security: Pakistan has millions of expatriate workers in Qatar and the Gulf. Any instability in the region directly impacts remittances and job security.
- US Foreign Policy Shift: Washington’s guarantees to Qatar highlight its dual strategy of defending Israel while also protecting Arab allies a balancing act that could shape the future of the Gaza conflict.
- Regional Precedent: If Qatar receives this level of protection, other Gulf states may seek similar assurances, changing the strategic balance in the Middle East.
The US security pledge marks a new phase in Qatar’s relations with Washington. While the legality and future implementation of Trump’s executive order may face challenges, the message is clear: Qatar is too important for the US to leave unprotected.
For now, Doha has gained more than just an apology from Israel it has secured a direct line of defense from the world’s most powerful military.