President Trump has signed an executive order vowing to use all measures, including US military action, to defend the energy-rich nation of Qatar, though it remains unclear just what weight the pledge will carry. The text of the order, dated Monday, appears to be another measure by Trump to assure the Qatari people following Israel's surprise attack targeting Hamas leaders as they weighed accepting a ceasefire with Israel. The order cites the two countries' "close cooperation" and "shared interests," vowing to "guarantee the security and territorial integrity of the state of Qatar against external attack," per the AP.
The US "shall 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," the order adds. "In the event of such an attack, the United States shall take all lawful and appropriate measures—including diplomatic, economic, and, if necessary, military—to defend the interests of the United States and of the state of Qatar." The order apparently came during a visit to Washington on Monday by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Trump organized a call by Netanyahu to Qatar during the visit, in which Netanyahu "expressed his deep regret" over the strike that killed six, including a member of the Qatari security forces, the White House said.
Qatar's Foreign Ministry described the US pledge as "an important step in strengthening the two countries' close defense partnership." The Qatari-funded Al Jazeera news network declared: "New Trump executive order guarantees Qatar security after Israeli attack." The true scope of the pledge remains in question. Typically, legally binding agreements, or treaties, need to receive the US Senate's OK. However, presidents have entered international agreements without the Senate's approval, as President Obama did with Iran's 2015 nuclear deal. And, ultimately, any decision to take military action rests with Trump.
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The order is drawing criticism. Laura Loomer, a right-wing provocateur who's been a fixture of Trump's second term, wrote on X: "I don't want to die for Qatar. Do you?" The Wall Street Journal's editorial board also questioned the deal. "This is a decision that can be and should have been debated," it noted on Wednesday. "Instead it comes out of the blue—an executive order following no public debate." More here.
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