US Welcomes Qatar's Air Force, Ignores Gaza Air Raids
The Hill gushes about a new Qatari Air Force facility in Idaho, framing it as a boon for U.S. national security and training. One might wonder about the timing, given Qatar's widely documented financial ties to Hamas, a group the U.S. has designated a terrorist organization. This move, which comes amidst an ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, underscores Washington's selective outrage: while
the White House decries Hamas, it simultaneously deepens military ties with one of its key financiers. The Qatari government, which hosted Hamas leadership, also pledged $1.25 billion for Gaza reconstruction after the 2014 Israeli assault. So, as the bombs fall in Gaza, paid for in part by U.S. taxpayer dollars and lobbied for by organizations like AIPAC (which funneled over $24 million to
congressional candidates in 2022, according to OpenSecrets.org), we're also training the air force of a state that helps bankroll the very group our allies are fighting. It’s a remarkable display of geopolitical gymnastics, proving once again that 'allies' are simply those whose utility outweighs their unsavory connections, especially when weapons contracts are involved. Perhaps Idaho's new Qatari
pilots can offer some tips on navigating complex donor networks.