July 9, 2026 | The Washington Times
Qatar’s diplomacy should worry Trump in Iran talks
From Hamas to Hezbollah and Iran, Doha's deals carry dangerous long-term costs
July 9, 2026 | The Washington Times
Qatar’s diplomacy should worry Trump in Iran talks
From Hamas to Hezbollah and Iran, Doha's deals carry dangerous long-term costs
Excerpt
On a gleaming Swiss mountaintop in June, American and Iranian officials launched talks for a final agreement to end the war in the Middle East.
The venue, a glamorous resort where once upon a time Audrey Hepburn and Mel Ferrer tied the knot, is today owned by the state of Qatar. The image is richly poetic.
Qatar, a tiny yet extravagantly wealthy country, has built a reputation on investment and dealmaking. The same could be said about President Trump — except that Mr. Trump is known for making good deals, and the Qataris have a habit of brokering bad ones.
Natalie Ecanow is a senior research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Follow Natalie on X @NatalieEcanow. Follow FDD on X @FDD.