Introduction
US diplomatic relations with Qatar date back to 1972 after Qatar gained her independence from Britain (US Department of State, 2018). Bilateral relations between the two countries have strengthened over the years as evidenced by the witnessed coordination on regional and global issues. The strong ties are responsible for political, economic and social aspects of the relations between the two countries. The US Department of State (2018) describes Qatar as a valuable ally in the rapid transformation of the region by supporting the economic development of the region, maintaining stability and achieving overall stability. The Persian Gulf is also a strategic area for achieving regional security as well as regaining stability in countries ravaged by war such as Syria and Iraq. It is for this purpose that military ties between the two countries form a crucial part of their diplomatic activities. Hence, this paper explores US-Qatar military relations, the political, economic and social aspects of these relations and the role of US Air Defense.
Development of Military Relations
US-Qatar military relations did not blossom immediately after the establishment of diplomatic ties. Before the Persian Gulf War of 1991, the two countries engaged in prolonged diplomatic disputes over the sale of anti-aircraft missiles (Blanchard, 2014). Economic and military cooperation was halted during the period as relations continued to grow cold. The dispute threatened to escalate into a crisis before the two countries joint military operations during the Persian Gulf War in Operation Desert Storm (Blanchard, 2014). The operation led to the signing of the defense cooperation agreement between the two countries aimed at achieving regional peace in the Persian Gulf (Blanchard, 2014). The agreement provides an avenue for close coordination in military affairs and political, economic and educational relations. Trade in arms and military assistance to security projects within Qatar form the basis of the military cooperation. Ideally, military relation hinge on the four pillars of bilateral defense agreements, utilization of military facilities provided both countries, the sale of US manufactured arms and contact between military personnel (Saidy, 2017).
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Bilateral defense agreements in these case were founded on the defense cooperation agreement signed between the US and Doha in the aftermath of the Persian Gulf War (Saidy, 2017). The agreement emphasized on achieving peace and stability in the Gulf for regional prosperity. Both the US and Qatar had interests in the terms of the agreement. The US aimed to eliminate terrorist groups operating in the region that was a threat to its citizens in the region and at home. Doha, on the other hand, was committed to increasing the country’s economic fortunes through trade in petroleum products and the overall economic development of the country. Being a small country, its leaders identified military coordination with the US an avenue for strengthening its defensive position in the region and avoiding military aggression from its neighbors. “ Qatar relies to a large degree on external cooperation and support for its security” (Blanchard, 2014). At the signing of the agreement, Qatar lacked an air force for air defense. The US assisted the country to construct an air base that would provide the much-needed air defense. In return, the US military was granted permission to utilize the facility as a logistics, command, and store for numerous military equipment for the Afghanistan operations (Blanchard, 2014).
Importantly, the sale of US manufactured arms to Qatar has significantly improved the country’s defense planning. Qatar currently boasts numerous advanced US-manufactured arms and transport equipment. The arms assist the country’s military to effectively defend itself against aggressive neighbors like Iran. The US in return benefits from the economic and diplomatic aspects of the arms trade. The direct military contact also strengthens the ties between the two countries. Advanced military training that the US offers Qatari military personnel continues to cement the military relations.
Economic, Political and Social Ties
US-Qatar diplomatic ties are not defined explicitly by military relations, economic, political and social ties play a vital part in the wholesome coordination between the two countries. As much as military relations are vital between the two countries, they are also strengthened by overall diplomatic ties. Trade relations are colossal to the continued coordination between Doha and Washington. Annual exports by the US to Qatar were as high as $3.8 billion according to 2013 statistics while oil imports to the US from Qatar peaked at $763 million (Blanchard, 2014). Implying the importance of trade exchange as the two countries continue to strengthen their military ties. The Trade and Investment Framework Agreement between the US and Qatar strengthened bilateral trade, investment, and taxation treaties (Blanchard, 2014). Current, Qatar has major interests in real estate trade in Washington while the country also intends to purchase upwards of fifty passenger aircraft from the US. The two countries are exploring new areas of trade cooperation in the form of SME’s in the quest to increase trade volumes. The two identified the untapped potential of small and medium-sized enterprises as an avenue to strengthen ties and increase cooperation.
Ostensibly, military relations hinge on the political agenda of two nations. Qatar’s foreign policy is multidirectional owing to its situation in a volatile region where tensions easily escalate due to divergent interest. The US, on the other hand, is committed to the stability of the Persian Gulf which is jeopardized by the aggressive approach to foreign policy by countries such as Iran and warring nations like Syria. The multi-directional balancing act adopted by Qatar anchors well with the US quest to maintain peace in the region. Qatar has acted as the mediator in several disputes within the region. The presence of other US allies in the region such as Saudi Arabia implies that Qatar’s soft stance on several matters in the region is beneficial to the US. Recently, Qatar was described as the “oasis of stability” in the Gulf Region due to its non-partisan approach to emergent issues (Blanchard, 2014). Hence, Qatar’s stance continues to favor military relations between the two nations.
Social ties are critical for the continued strengthening of relations between Doha and Washington. Strengthening social ties bears the potential to create long-term cooperation between the two countries, ideally, tensions are easily resolved and strategies formulated when citizens from both countries have shared interests. In that regard, student exchange programs and learning exhibitions were identified as avenues for creating stronger social ties. Universities in the US admits hundreds of students annually through learning programs that aim to bridge the social gap between the two nations (US Department of State, 2018). The students become well versed with knowledge on international relations as they gain more exposure. Hence, the approach to emergent disputes is less combative with knowledge of international relations. Exhibitions then serve to create awareness on the similarities and differences in culture in the two countries. This knowledge facilitates the embracing of the differences and avoidance of conflict.
The Role of US Air Defense Systems
Notably, both Qatar and the US identify military relations as the foundation of their diplomatic ties. As stated, the military cooperation dates back to Operation Desert Storm when troops from both countries fought side by side. The signing of the defense cooperation agreement guarantees Qatar military assistance as evidenced by the US commitment to strengthen Qatar’s Air Defense Systems. The Al Udeid air base which was constructed with the financial, logistical and technical support from the US serves the main air defense center for the nation (Katzman, 2016). US Air Force personnel based at the facility work in coordination with their Qatari counterparts in strengthening the country’s air defense systems and through training and establishing equipment. Arms sales to Qatar are part of the strategy for advancing the country’s military equipment. Combat aircraft provided by the US continues to strengthen Qataris Air Force as the country aims to become self-sufficient in its defense. Additionally, the purchase of US-manufactured helicopters is a priced addition to its military equipment.
Qatar’s missile and rocket defense systems provided by the US generally aim to improve its ability to protect its citizens from rockets and missiles launched from enemy countries like Iran and other terrorist groups operating in the Gulf region. Long range and short range missile systems also offer the country bargaining power against aggressive neighbors in the concerted efforts undermine its foreign policy (Katzman, 2016). US-made ballistic missile defense systems installed in the country are within the US consistent effort to improve the Gulf missile defense capabilities against likely missile attacks by Iran (Katzman, 2016). Thus, the strengthening of US air defense systems serves two purposes; cementing ties between the US and Qatar and improving stability in the Gulf region through protection from external aggression.
Conclusion
In essence, diplomatic ties between the US and Qatar were founded on military cooperation but the effect is felt through political, economic and social ties (Katzman, 2016). The signing of the defense cooperation agreement was the trigger for the continued coordination between the two nations. Bilateral defense agreements, utilization of military facilities by both countries, the sale of US manufactured arms and contact between military personnel are among the main areas of focus in the military ties. Provision of US air defense systems is a key pillar in strengthening these ties in the long-term.
References
Blanchard, C. M. (2014). Qatar: Background and US relations . Retrieved from https://www.everycrsreport.com/files/20140130_RL31718_2c08bc9177bbcafb7d25816b88b7319d4551c675.pdf
Katzman, K. (2016). Qatar: Governance, Security, and US Policy (No. CRS-7-5700, R44533). Congressional Research Service Washington United States.
Saidy, B. (2017). Qatari-US military relations: context, evolution and prospects. Contemporary Arab Affairs , 10 (2), 286-299
US Department of State. (2018). U.S. relations with Qatar. US Department of State . Retrieved from https://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5437.htm
