In a rare move, US President Donald Trump issued a 29 September executive order to “regard any armed attack on the territory, sovereignty, or critical infrastructure of the State of Qatar as a threat to the peace and security of the United States.” If Qatar is attacked the US pledges to “take all lawful and appropriate measures — including diplomatic, economic, and, if necessary, military.”
The commitment comes afer Israel’s bombing of Hamas negotiators in Doha earlier in the month (MEES, 12 September). While no doubt intended to quell the ire of Qatar and Gulf partners, it raises new concerns. Now that Qatar holds a special security guarantee, other Gulf states — especially Saudi Arabia — will swiftly request the same. (CONTINUED - 189 WORDS)