A Dangerous Policy Shortcut for Qatar
The Trump administration's decision to extend NATO-style defense guarantees to Qatar represents a troubling shortcut in American foreign policy.
Issued quietly through executive order, it pledges that any attack on Qatar's territory, sovereignty or critical infrastructure will be treated as a threat to American peace and security — and that the United States will respond with economic, diplomatic or even military force.
The language goes far beyond a routine policy statement.
Military protection for Qatar is the kind of commitment that, under the US government system, requires congressional approval. However, Congress wasn’t even consulted on the issue.
Defense guarantees of this nature are supposed to emerge from open deliberation, subject to consent and public scrutiny.
Author's summary: Trump administration's defense guarantees to Qatar raise concerns.