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Qatar Information Packet April 2018 Qatar-America Institute 101 Constitution Ave. NW, 901E, Washington, DC 20001 qataramerica.org @QatarAmerica

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Qatar Information PacketApril 2018

Qatar-America Institute 101 Constitution Ave. NW, 901E, Washington, DC 20001 qataramerica.org @QatarAmerica

Index

U.S.-Qatar PartnershipKey QuotesAppendix

U.S.-Qatar Military PartnershipThe U.S.-Qatar Strategic DialogueCeasing the Illegal BlockadeQatar’s International InvestmentsLiquified Natural Gas (LNG)Qatar and American Job CreationQatar’s Education CityQatar’s Humanitarian Response2022 FIFA World CupTM

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______________________________________ 16U.S.-Qatar Anti-Terrorism MoU _______________________________ 18

1

U.S.-Qatar PartnershipFact Sheet

Qatar is a fu l l and trusted strategic al ly of the Uni ted States, as wel l as a v i ta l mi l i tary and defense partner; host ing the largest overseas airbase used by the United States and other faci l i t ies essent ia l to U.S. interests.

Qatar works closely wi th, and ful ly supports, the U.S. in defeat ing terror ism and violent extremism, as wel l as bui lding peace throughout the wor ld.

Qatar is the wor ld’s largest suppl ier of l iqui f ied natural gas (LNG) and ensures global energy suppl ies.

Qatar is a leading supporter of the values of f ree media, a champion of U.S. cul tural t ies, and wi l l host the FIFA World Cup in 2022.

Qatar wi l l invest over $45 bi l l ion in the Uni ted States over the next f ive years, in addit ion to the tens of bi l l ions of dol lars Qatar has already invested in the U.S.

Bui lding Peace and Counter ing Extremism

Qatar bel ieves i t is crucial to tackle dr ivers of terror ism, v io lent extremism and instabi l i ty . I t has taken clear and decis ive steps to f ight terror f inancing and has been applauded by

the U.S. government in i ts ef for ts. Qatar f requent ly cooperates wi th the U.S. to create procedures & guidel ines for al l of i ts f inancial inst i tut ions to ident i fy and combat cr iminal acts.

Qatar coordinates on a regular basis wi th the U.S. Treasury, Department of Just ice, FBI, and the Financial Cr imes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).

Qatar assists in reconci l iat ion ef for ts by br inging groups into a peaceful pol i t ical process by working with or on behal f of the U.S. to host a number of groups that are not necessar i ly supported by the Qatar i government.

Qatar has provided bi l l ions in humanitar ian assistance, including $1.6 bi l l ion to Syr ian refugees, $100 mi l l ion to v ict ims of Hurr icane Katr ina, and provided rel ief a id fo l lowing the Japanese and Hait ian earthquakes. I t a lso launched the Qatar Upholding Educat ion for Syr ians’ Trust (QUEST) in 2016 to provide educat ion and training to near ly 400,000 Syr ian refugees within Syr ia and in Jordan, Lebanon, I raq and Turkey.

Mi l i tary Partnership

Al-Udeid in Qatar is the largest overseas airbase used by the United States and houses US CENTCOM Forward HQ.

I t has two act ive runways capable of handl ing every aircraf t in the U.S. inventory, together wi th robust fuel ing and ammunit ion storage faci l i t ies. I t hosts over 10,000 US troops plus more U.S. support c iv i l ians.

This complex has been bui l t up considerably over 14 years, wi th much of the funding provided by Qatar (over $1 bi l l ion).

A second mi l i tary faci l i ty in Qatar is Camp As Sayl iyah, a forward posi t ioning logist ics faci l i ty . I t has the equipment for an ent i re U.S. Army armored br igade, and a number of warehouses. I t was essent ia l to American operat ions in I raq in 2003.

Current ly, 300 or more missions are launched dai ly f rom the base spread - across the Middle East, North Afr ica, and Central Asia.

Located in the Middle East, Qatar is a peninsula bordering the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia. Its total size is 11,586 sq. km, slightly smaller than the U.S. state of Connecticut.

Qatar has 8 municipalities, which last held elections in 2015. These elections included a number of women candidates that for the first time won seats in the councils.

Women are an integral part of Qatari society; women vote, run for municipal elections, own businesses, etc. Qatar’s government encourages participation of women in the workplace by providing sufficient maternity leave and shortened hours in the first months back to work. There is no gender gap in basic salary.

Qatar National Vision 2030 is a holistic national plan for Qatar to modernize and prepare for the future. The plan has four pillars: human development, social development, economic development, and environmental development.

Qatar11,586 sq. km

Connecticut, USA14,357 sq. km

Total Population(2017)

2,338,085

American Population15,698

Volume of Trade$5.26 billion dollars (32% increase since 2012)

U.S. Companies in Qatar600+ companies (including joint capital)

Qatar Investments in the U.S.$45 billion dollars

U.S. Investments in Qatar$7.5 billion dollars

2

U.S.-Qatar PartnershipFact Sheet

Providing Global Energy Secur i ty

Qatar is home to some of the largest reserves of natural gas in the wor ld and contr ibutes about one-third of the global l iqui f ied natural gas (LNG) trade. Annual sales are est imated to be $180 bi l l ion.

Despite the blockade, Qatar st i l l suppl ies the region with a notable amount of natural gas through the Dolphin Energy pipel ine, thus demonstrat ing Qatar ’s unwaver ing commitment to secur ing global energy suppl ies.

Qatar suppl ies more than a quarter of the wor ld’s supply of hel ium, the ul t ra- l ight gas that is widely used in v i ta l medical imaging, technology manufactur ing and nuclear reactors.

ExxonMobi l partnered with Qatar Petroleum to develop the North Field. Addit ional ly, ExxonMobi l is the only foreign part ic ipant in two domest ic gas projects – Al Khaleej Gas and Barzan Gas.

Educat ion is a Nat ional Pr ior i ty

Educat ion col laborat ion between Qatar and the United States cont inues to grow each year as both countr ies work to strengthen opportuni t ies for academic exchange. There are over 1,200 Qatar i students in the Uni ted States pursuing higher educat ion.

Educat ion Ci ty, just outs ide Doha, covers 14 square k i lometers and houses educat ional faci l i t ies f rom school age to research level and branch campuses of some of the wor ld’s universi t ies. In terms of U.S. universi t ies, Qatar hosts s ix: Georgetown, Texas A&M, Northwestern, Carnegie Mel lon, Virginia Commonwealth Universi ty, and Wei l l Cornel l Medical Col lege.

This demonstrates Qatar ’s strategic goal of e levat ing educat ion in the country and region to the highest global standards, thus ensur ing that the underly ing ideology of v io lent extremism is eradicated for good.

A Global Leader in Sports, Cul ture and Media

Qatar wi l l host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, an undertaking that is revi ta l iz ing industr ies across the country and wi l l create a unique space for host ing the tournament. The World Cup is the second most watched sport ing event in the wor ld.

Qatar created Al Jazeera in 1996, which quickly became the Arab world’s most watched news source. I t provides independent news not al igned to any government or ideology across the Arab world.

Qatar has made signi f icant investments in the arts, most notably the iconic Museum of Is lamic Art (MIA) designed by American archi tect I .M. Pei which serves as a center of knowledge, dialogue and inspirat ion.

The vast major i ty of Musl ims in Qatar (approximately ninety percent) ident i fy as Sunni Musl ims and the remaining ten percent Shi te Musl im (al l Qatar is are Sunni) . However, there is st i l l a community of roughly 300,000 people l iv ing in Qatar who ident i fy as Chr ist ian. The Qatar Emir personal ly gi f ted a large plot of land for a rel igious complex which is now the si te for the f i rst Cathol ic Church erected in 2008. I t has now grown to house six recognized churches in addit ion to other rel igious houses of worship where Chr ist ians are f ree to gather and worship together.

Invest ing in Our Shared Future

The United States t rade relat ionship wi th Qatar grows exponent ia l ly annual ly. Since 2013, t rade between the two countr ies has grown over 1,000% percent. The U.S. has played a cr i t ical ro le in the development of Qatar ’s oi l sector and cont inues to be a crucial equipment suppl ier for the industry. U.S. exports also include aircraf t , machinery, vehicles, opt ical and medical instruments, and agr icul tural products. Qatar Airways has ordered 30 787-9 Dreamliners and 10 777-300ERs, valued at $11.7 bi l l ion and signed a Letter of Intent for up to 60 737 MAX 8s, valued at $6.9 bi l l ion at l is t pr ice. This wi l l create over 100,000 US Jobs.

The goal of the Qatar i sovereign wealth fund, the Qatar Investment Author i ty (QIA), is to diversi fy the country ’s surplus f rom LNG sales into long-term investments. The QIA fund manages an est imated $335 bi l l ion in reserves. QIA announced that i t would invest $45 bi l l ion in the Uni ted States over the next f ive years, plus an extra $10 bi l l ion for infrastructure. The QIA was the fourth-biggest investor in U.S. of f ice space in 2016, most ly in New York and Los Angeles. In 2012, the country invested $650 mi l l ion into Washington D.C. ’s Ci ty Center, becoming the main owner of the $1 bi l l ion project.

3

U.S.-Qatar RelationsKey Quotes

“We agreed to enhance our cooperation to counter the financing of terrorism in key areas of mutual concern including by substantially increasing the sharing of information on terrorist financiers in the region, placing greater emphasis on charitable and money service business sectors in Qatar to prevent terrorists from continuing to use those sectors for illicit financing purposes, developing a Qatari domestic designations regime in line with international standards and taking joint actions against terrorist financiers. We affirm that the United States and Qatar will significantly increase our cooperation on these issues to ensure that Qatar is a hostile environment for terrorist financing.”

- Steve Mnuchin, U.S. Secretary of Treasury, October 2017

“The Qataris have continued to move forward on the MOU that the U.S. and Qatar entered into to address many of the terrorism, terror financing, counterterrorism concerns that people have, and they have been very aggressive in implementing that agreement. So we’re – I think we’re satisfied with the effort they’re putting forth. I think they also have indicated a willingness to sit with the four parties and negotiate, discuss the demands. I think they have indicated they think it’s important that the sovereignty and dignity of all five countries be respected in those discussions.”

- Rex Tillerson, U.S. Secretary of State, July 2017

“While the Qatari government does not fund Hamas, it does allow Hamas political representatives to be based in Qatar, which Qatar believes limits Iran’s influence and pressure over Hamas. Senior Qatari officials have stated that Hamas’ presence in Qatar does not imply support for the group and the Qatari government recently expelled some Hamas members. We do not expect Hamas’ new Political Bureau Chief Ismali Haniyeh to be based in Qatar, unlike his predecessor. Qatar has committed to take action against terrorist financing, including shutting down Hamas bank accounts.”

- Nikki Haley, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, October 2017

“Our partners should remember that Qatar – at our request – welcomed delegations from the Taliban and Hamas, and that Qatar is now home to our military headquarters for our operations throughout the Middle East.”

- Gen. (ret.) David Petraeus, Former Director of CentralIntelligence and CENTCOM Commander, July 2017

“The base in Qatar is critical. It is the headquarters of the United States Central Command – that’s the four-star headquarters – it has responsibility for US military operations fromEgypt to Pakistan, it also what we call our command air operations center which reallyis the nerve center for all our aviation operations which again extends from Egypt toPakistan – it’s a very critical base.”

- Gen. Joseph Dunford Jr. USMC, Chairmanof the Joint Chiefs, July 2017

4

Preserving Security in the Region U.S.-Qatar Military Partnership

The US-Qatar Mi l i tary relat ionship was transformed af ter the terror at tacks of 9/11. Counter ing ISIS and simi lar extremist groups and deterr ing Iran have been the pr imary reasons for American mi l i tary involvement in the region. Throughout the enduring mission to br ing peace to the region and eradicate terror ism, the State of Qatar has been a strategic secur i ty partner and a v i ta l a l ly to America.

Over 10,000 American troops are currently waging war against ISIS and supporting our other security interests in the region from Qatar.

Since 2014 American forces have planned and executed over 18,000 strikes against extremists in the region from Al Udeid Air Base.

Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar is the largest overseas air base used by the United States and houses US CENTCOM Forward HQ, US Air Force Central Command Forward, US Special Operat ions Command Forward, Combined Joint Interagency Task Force–Syr ia, the Combined Air Operat ions Center, and the 379th Air Wing.

Al-Udeid has two act ive runways capable of handl ing every aircraf t in the U.S. inventory, together wi th robust fuel ing and ammunit ion storage faci l i t ies. I t hosts over 10,000 US troops plus more US support c iv i l ians, and sees over 300 dai ly f l ights. This complex has been bui l t up considerably over 14 years, wi th much of the funding provided by Qatar (over $5 bi l l ion).

A second mi l i tary faci l i ty in Qatar is Camp As Sayl iyah, a forward posi t ioning logist ics faci l i ty . I t has the equipment for an ent i re U.S. Army armored br igade and a number of warehouses. I t was essent ia l to American operat ions in I raq in 2003. This is not a capacity that can be quickly repl icated or moved.

In 2014, Qatar was the largest customer of the Uni ted States for foreign mi l i tary sales, purchasing more than $10 bi l l ion in advanced mi l i tary equipment (Apache hel icopters, Patr iot missi le defense, and Javel in missi les). Qatar also purchased eight C-17s and four C-130Js via direct commercial sales.

On 14 June 2017 the Qatar Defense Minister s igned an agreement to buy F15 jets at a cost of over $12 bi l l ion f rom the United States, which wi l l create or secure over 60,000 American jobs, across 42 states.

The United States is working with Qatar to develop a region-wide bal l is t ic missi le defense capabi l i ty , including through the development of a bal l is t ic missi le ear ly warning system.

America’s partnership wi th Qatar is a v is ible symbol of the Uni ted States’ commitment to the peace and prosper i ty of the region. That partnership is an essent ia l e lement of our strategic global presence and should be seen as a model for enhancing U.S. secur i ty in other regions.

qataramerica.org@QatarAmericaUpdated February 2018

5

The U.S.-Qatar Strategic DialogueThe Strengthened and Expanded Bilateral Relationship

Dialogue Key Points

• Stated the strengthened and expanded bilateral relationship

• Welcomed the U.S. role on countering threats of terrorism and violent extremism. Agreed on the need to address violent extremism through preventive framework. Thanked Qatar for its action to counter terrorism and violent extremism in all forms

• Acknowledged Qatar’s generous humanitarian role and commitments made by Qatar on combating human trafficking and advancing labor rights

• Issued a Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation

• Lauded Qatar’s contributions in supporting the sizeable U.S. military presence in Qatar under the U.S. Central Command. Welcomed Qatar’s offer to expand critical facilities at U.S. bases in the country. Qatari funding of capital expenditures and sustainment offers the possibility of an enduring presence

• Noted the $24.7 billion Foreign Military Sales, and that they have resulted in over 110,000 American jobs and the sustainment of critical military capabilities for the United States

• Noted the recent conclusion of the Memorandum of Understanding between the U.S. Attorney General and his Qatari counterpart on the fight against terrorism and its financing and combating cyber-crime

• Highlighted Qatar’s committed investment of $45 billion in American firms, real estate, and jobs

• Agreed bilateral agreements on trade, investment, and technology

The governments of the State of Qatar and the United States held the inaugural Strategic Dialogue in Washington D.C. on January 30, 2018. U.S. Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson and U.S. Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis co-chaired the opening session jointly with Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Khalid al-Attiyah and Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. U.S. Secretary of Energy James R. Perry and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur L. Ross, Jr. participated in sessions with Qatari Minister of Energy and Industry Mohammed al-Sada and Qatari Minister of Economy and Commerce Ahmed bin Jassim Al Thani, respectively. U.S. Secretary of Treasury Steven T. Mnuchin and Qatari Minister of Finance Ali Sharif al-Emadi co-chaired the closing ceremony.

“As a result of the memorandum of understanding our countries signed in July, the United States and Qatar have increased information sharing on terrorists and terrorist financiers.”

Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson

“The recent purchase of the F-15s fighter jets signals a new era of cooperation. This strategic bird will assure our readiness to protect our own border and aid our allies further in our collective fight toward peace and stability.”

Minister of State for Defense Affairs, Dr. Khalid bin Muhammad al-Attiyah

qataramerica.org@QatarAmerica

6

The U.S.-Qatar Strategic DialogueThe Strengthened and Expanded Bilateral Relationship

Key Outcomes

Political CooperationQatar and the United States expressed satisfaction at the recently strengthened and expanded bilateral relationship. This highlights their shared commitment to advance global peace and prosperity.

Qatar emphasized the role of the United States in the region and the significant part it plays in countering threats of terrorism and violent extremism.

The United States acknowledged Qatar’s generous humanitarian role bilaterally and multilaterally through the work of various UN agencies, in supporting forcibly displaced populations, and in assisting refugees including millions of vulnerable young children and women. The United States acknowledged recent progress and commitments made by Qatar on combating human trafficking and advancing labor rights.

DefenseQatar and the United States emphasized the vital contribution their defense partnership provides for the security and stability of the region. This cooperation is key to successfully combating terrorism, countering violent extremism, and deterring external aggression. U.S. officials lauded Qatar’s contributions in supporting the sizeable U.S. military presence in Qatar under the U.S. Central Command.

The two governments issued a Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation, affirming the two countries’ joint commitment to promoting peace and stability and countering the scourge of terrorism. The United States expressed its readiness to work jointly with Qatar to deter and confront an external threat to Qatar’s territorial integrity that is inconsistent with the United Nations Charter.

The two governments discussed the $24.7 billion Foreign Military Sales program that currently exists between the United States and Qatar.

The United States thanked the Qatari government for those purchases, noting they have resulted in over 110,000 American jobs and the sustainment of critical military capabilities for the United States.

The United States welcomed Qatar’s offer to expand critical facilities at U.S. bases in the country. Qatari funding of capital expenditures and sustainment offers the possibility of an enduring presence, as with U.S. facilities in Europe and the Pacific.

CounterterrorismThe United States thanked Qatar for its action to counter terrorism and violent extremism in all forms, including by being one of the few countries to move forward on a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding with the United States. Qatar and the United States intend to begin the Anti-Terrorism Assistance training program as soon as possible.

The two governments also noted the recent conclusion of the Memorandum of Understanding between the U.S. Attorney General and his Qatari counterpart on the fight against terrorism and its financing and combating cyber-crime.

Qatar and the United States expressed the need to address violent extremism through preventive frameworks. They emphasized the role that both countries are playing in founding and being leading donors of the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF) and the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF).

Trade and InvestmentQatar and the United States committed to boosting bilateral trade. They welcomed the role of U.S. companies in Qatar’s development and of Qatari investment in U.S. firms and jobs.

The two governments recognized the importance of Qatar Investment Authority’s previously committed investment of $45 billion in American firms, real estate, and jobs.

Qatar and the United States signed various Memoranda of Understanding and Letters of Intent in the fields of bilateral trade, investment, and technology.

“We are grateful to Qatar for their longstanding support of America’s present and continuing commitment to regional security, a commitment that includes information sharing and counterterrorism training.”

Secretary of Defense, Jim Mattis

“Holding this immensely significant first session of Qatar-U.S. Strategic Dialogue come as an expression and a celebration of the enduring and the close affiliation between our two countries.”

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani

“Qatar is already investing more than $100 billion in the U.S. economy, including $10 billion earmarked for infrastructure.”

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani

“Qatar has spared no effort in increasing the readiness and efficiency of Al Udeid operation by investing billions of dollars in the direct infrastructure and maintenance of the strategic airbase.”

Minister of State for Defense Affairs, Dr. Khalid bin Muhammad al-Attiyah

Strategic dialogue information sourced from the Joint Statement of the Inaugural United States-Qatar Strategic Dialogue

qataramerica.org@QatarAmerica

7

Ceasing the Illegal BlockadeThe U.S. Stands with the People of Qatar

The governments of the State of Qatar and the United States held the inaugural Strategic Dialogue in Washington D.C. on January 30, 2018.

From the Joint Statement:

The two countries welcomed this first Strategic Dialogue, highlighting the strength of their bilateral relationship and the mutually beneficial opportunities for the peoples of both countries to deepen bilateral cooperation.

The United States and Qatar underscored the strength of their ties and established a shared vision for the future of their strategic partnership. The two governments took an important step to elevate the bilateral relationship by signing a Memorandum of Understanding establishing an annual Strategic Dialogue.

Qatar and the United States discussed the Gulf crisis and expressed the need for an immediate resolution which respects Qatar’s sovereignty. The two governments expressed concern about the harmful security, economic and human impacts of the crisis. Concern was also expressed over peace and stability in the Gulf and adherence to international law.

The United States expressed its readiness to work jointly with Qatar to deter and confront any external threat to Qatar’s territorial integrity that is inconsistent with the United Nations Charter.

Qatar emphasized its appreciation for the role played by the United States in the mediation of the dispute in support of the efforts of the Emir of Kuwait. Qatar and the United States affirmed their backing for a strong Gulf Cooperation Council that is focused on countering regional threats and ensuring a peaceful and prosperous future for all its peoples.

This new Strategic Dialogue process underlines the commitment of Qatar and the United States to increase cooperation in fields that are of the greatest mutual and practical benefit. Such cooperation includes the issues discussed today but also incorporates important work in the fields of sports, education, health, arts, and culture.

The two governments outlined a way forward together for the development of their partnership. They committed to continue their dialogue and cooperation on issues including: combating regional terrorism and violent extremism; countering the financing of terrorism; consolidating state of the art defense facilities; and expanding their trade and investment partnerships.

qataramerica.org@QatarAmerica

8

Ceasing the Illegal BlockadeThe U.S. Stands with the People of Qatar

Minister of Defense, Dr. Khalid Al-Attiyah“We have stood together many time in the face of tyranny, fought those who defied the rule of law, and walked jointly to confront the complex and expensive challenges that face our region today.”

“The relationship extend beyond the security, defense, and political. It extend in the educational, as Sheikh Mohammed said, energy sector, commerce, and social tie. I speak of the special relation that we share with our friend and allies here in the United States, and there is no better way to demonstrate the uniqueness of this relation than by looking at our military-to-military partnership.”

“In the current Gulf conflict, the disruption of CT [counter-terrorism] offered the stabilizing allied forces’ effort in the region. Brave men and women of Qatar, since our inception, there has been those who wish to impose their domain over us. Qatar did not waver then and it will not waver now. And to protect the sovereignty and fight of its independence, the brave people of Qatar stood firmly with their leader in face of the mounting hostility directed toward their country.”

Secretary of Defense, Jim Mattis

“Even in the midst of its own current challenges, Qatar and the United States maintain excellent military-to-military relations, hosting Al Udeid Air Base, home to our Combined Air Operations Center, the United States Air Force Central Command Forward Headquarters,

and U.S. Central Command’s Forward Headquarters, providing critical counterterrorism support to the Defeat ISIS/Defeat Daesh coalition and President Trump’s South Asia strategy.”

“…a united Gulf Cooperation Council bolsters our effectiveness on many fronts, particularly on countering terrorism, defeating ISIS/Daesh, and countering the spread of Iran’s malign influence. It is thus critical that the GCC recovers its cohesion as the

proud Gulf nations return to mutual support through a peaceful resolution that provides for enhanced regional stability and prosperity.”

Comments from Opening Statements on the Strategic Dialogue

Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson“Qatar is a strong partner and a longtime friend of the United States. We value the U.S.-Qatar relationship and hope the talks today deepen our strategic ties.”

“With respect to counterterrorism, following President Trump’s challenge to all of our Gulf partners during the Riyadh summit last year, Qatar has made significant progress to improve efforts to combat terrorism. As a result of the memorandum of understanding our countries signed in July, the United States and Qatar have increased information sharing on terrorists and terrorist financiers.”

“As the Gulf dispute nears the eight-month mark, the United States remains as concerned today as we were at its outset. This dispute has had direct negative consequences economically and militarily for those involved, as well as the United States. We are concerned

by the rhetoric and propaganda employed in the region, playing out daily in Arab mainstream and social media.”

“It is critical that all parties minimize rhetoric, exercise restraint to avoid further escalation, and work toward a resolution. A united GCC bolsters our effectiveness on many fronts, particularly on counterterror – countering terrorism, defeating ISIS,

and countering the spread of Iran’s malign influence.”

qataramerica.org@QatarAmerica

9

Growth on a Global ScaleQatar’s International Investments

Qatar ’s determinat ion to diversi fy i ts assets is clear. Qatar is consistent ly one of the largest sources of outbound capital in the Middle East, wi th a total of $5.2 bi l l ion in new foreign direct investments in 2016.

Qatar is wel l known for leading the wor ld in l iquid natural gas exports. In addit ion to the country ’s success in th is area, Qatar has increasingly looked to invest in var ious di f ferent sectors.

The Qatar Investment Author i ty (QIA)

The Qatar Investment Author i ty (QIA) is the Qatar i sovereign wealth fund that focuses pr imari ly on invest ing in foreign assets wi th the goal of diversi fy ing Qatar ’s surplus into long-term investment. The fund manages an est imated $335 bil l ion , making i t the ninth largest fund in the wor ld. QIA maintains a diverse port fo l io, wi th investments in technology companies l ike Uber and infrastructure projects in Indonesia, among others. On September 26, 2015, QIA launched a new off ice in New York to manage i ts growing port fo l io in the Uni ted States. Over the next three years, QIA has pledged to invest $45 bil l ion in the Uni ted States. Since making this pledge in 2015, QIA has already invested $8 bil l ion in the Uni ted States.

Qatar Investment by Sector

Energy Sector

Over the past few years, the investment arm of Qatar Petroleum has created over ten jo int ventures in the Uni ted States, Br i ta in, I ta ly, Singapore, Egypt, and elsewhere. Qatar is part icular ly eager to deepen i ts t ies to the U.S. energy interests, focusing much of i ts ef for ts in the Houston region. For example, Qatar Petroleum is the major i ty owner of Houston-based Golden Pass Products, a leading importer of natural gas. Qatar has also entered into a jo int venture partnership wi th Exxon Mobi l to construct a new LNG export terminal in the area.

Banking Sector

In recent years, Qatar has had a steady accumulat ion of stakes in western banks. Qatar i leaders seek to create a knowledge economy, one with diversi f ied sources of weal th and employment, and the country ’s investment in f inancial services is a key element of th is dr ive. Investments include $61 bi l l ion in Barclays; a 6% stake in Credi t Suisse, as wel l has holdings in Bank of America and Agricul tural Bank of China. Most recent ly, the country became an anchor investor in Deutsche Bank’s €8 bi l l ion fundrais ing ef for t .

Real Estate Sector

Qatar has increasingly looked to invest in foreign real estate. This is a t rend part icular ly evident in London, where Qatar has invested $33 bi l l ion. Qatar has made several h igh-prof i le purchases, including the 2012 Olympic Vi l lage, Harrod’s, three of the most high-end hotels in London, One Hyde Park, and the Shard. In the Uni ted States, Qatar ’s real estate investment arm decided in 2010 to pump $650 mi l l ion into Washington D.C. ’s Ci ty Center project, and is the largest owner of the total $1 bi l l ion project. Qatar i support has been crucial for developing the burgeoning area.

qataramerica.org@QatarAmericaUpdated February 2018

10

Powering the WorldLiquified Natural Gas (LNG)

Qatar is home to some of the largest reserves of natural gas in the wor ld, the exports of which account for 57.8% of the country ’s gross domest ic product of GDP. Of th is, 85% is exported as l iqui f ied natural gas (LNG). Qatar is leveraging this success for the long-term—as part of the country ’s nat ional strategy, Qatar is reinvest ing much of i ts LNG export prof i ts into i ts ci t izens and in foreign assets as a way to diversi fy i ts mainly resource-based economy.

Global LNG Trade

Qatar, current ly the wor ld’s number one exporter of l iqui f ied natural gas, recent ly announced that i t wi l l increase product ion f rom 77 mi l l ion tons of natural gas to 100 mi l l ion tons a year by 2024. Qatar has been the wor ld’s leading exporter of LNG since 2006, and the country current ly contr ibutes about one-third of the global LNG trade. Annual sales are est imated to be $180 bil l ion .

Qatar LNG Train Superior i ty

Qatar has consistent ly spearheaded the development and construct ion of h igh-cal iber LNG trains. Qatar has 14 LNG trains – l iquef ied natural gas plants’ l iqui fact ionand pur i f icat ion faci l i t ies – more than anyother LNG export ing country. Of these, s ixare mega trains that produce 7.8 mi l l ion tonsevery year.

Qatari Investments in LNG

Qatar has invested substant ia l ly in the research and development of LNG, which has al lowed the country to ef f ic ient ly produce LNG at levels previously bel ieved impossible. These investments have had tangible resul ts; whi le planned projects in the Uni ted States, East Afr ica and Austral ia are expected to require $8 to $12 to produce a mi l l ion Br i t ish thermal uni ts of LNG, i t costs only $2 to do so in Qatar. This low cost structure has created an environment in which Qatar is able to provide many unique benef i ts to the market.

Qatar has also invested into the acquisi t ion of a new f leet of carr iers special ly designed for LNG transportat ion. Qatar has a f leet of 54 LNG vessels, which represents some 20% of the wor ld’s total LNG f leet . These substant ia l ly larger and more ef f ic ient craf t have increased Qatar i reach and speed relat ive to i ts compet i tors.

North Field Overview

Qatar ’s North Field is the largest natural gas f ie ld in the wor ld, wi th recoverable reserves of more than 900 tr i l l ion standard cubic feet , or approximately 10% of the wor ld’s known reserves. To exploi t th is remarkable 6,000 square- k i lometer f ie ld, Qatar has bui l t 14 LNG trains wi th a total product ion capacity of 77 mi l l ion tonnes per annum. Qatar wi l l be able to fu l f i l l c l ient needs for many decades to come.

qataramerica.org@QatarAmericaUpdated February 2018

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Putting Americans to WorkQatar and American Job Creation

A signi f icant part of Qatar ’s economic port fo l io is exhibi ted in i ts robust relat ionship wi th the United States. Total bi lateral t rade reached $3.5 bi l l ion in 2017. The United States is one of Qatar ’s largest foreign investors — including the top foreign investor in our oi l and gas sector — creat ing signi f icant opportuni t ies for U.S. businesses and investors to partner wi th Qatar i counterparts. In fact , according to the US Trade Representat ive, in 2017 the U.S. goods trade surplus wi th Qatar was $1.2 bi l l ion.

Joint Qatar-U.S. Ventures

Doha helps fuel the American aviat ion industry and creates American jobs through our air l ine’s large purchases of Boeing aircraf t . In October 2016, Qatar Airways and Boeing announced an order for up to 100 aircraf t , valued at $18.6 bi l l ion . Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Ray Conner said that the del ivery of these planes wi l l support 104,000 American jobs across the United States. The air l ine’s order only expands on i ts partnership wi th Boeing, whose wide-body aircraf ts comprise near ly hal f of Qatar Airways’ current f leet of more than 190 planes.

F-15 Purchase Creates 60,000 American Jobs

After a Pentagon signing ceremony with U.S. Defense Secretary Matt is and Qatar i Minister of Defence Al-Att iyah on June 14, 2017, the defense cooperat ion between Qatar and the US was further expanded with Qatar ’s agreement to a $12 bil l ion purchase of F-15 aircraf t bui l t by the Boeing Company in the US, contr ibut ing to the creat ion of 60,000 jobs in the U.S.

Beyond the Skies

Qatar has already proven to be a s igni f icant investor in American infrastructure. Through the QIA, the country has invested $350 mil l ion (out of the $1 bi l l ion total project cost) to construct Washington, D.C. ’s Ci tyCenterDC, a large-scale of f ice, resident ia l , entertainment and shopping faci l i ty in the heart of the U.S. capital . State-owned Qatar Petroleum has invested $2 bi l l ion to construct the Golden Pass LNG faci l i ty in Sabine Pass, Texas. These projects have and wi l l create tens of thousands of U.S. jobs dur ing their l i fet ime.

qataramerica.org@QatarAmericaUpdated February 2018

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A Beacon for AcademiaQatar’s Education City

Qatar ’s f lagship universi ty, Qatar Universi ty, is the f i rst universi ty establ ished in the country and of fers a comprehensive var iety of academic areas for students to concentrate in. Qatar Universi ty provides free tui t ion for Qatar i students and students f rom other GCC countr ies who meet the entrance requirements and maintain a 2.0 GPA. The Universi ty also of fers scholarships to students f rom Arab and Is lamic countr ies. Qatar invests in educat ion to help defeat radical extremism by empowering youth to determine their own futures and bui ld stronger communit ies.

In 1995, H.H. Sheikh Hamad Bin Khal i fa Al Thani , the father Emir , and his wi fe H.H. Sheikha Moza bint Nasser founded Qatar Foundat ion, a pr ivate, non-prof i t organizat ion that serves the people of Qatar and the region by support ing and operat ing programs in three core mission areas: educat ion, science and research, and community development.

Educat ion Ci tyEducat ion Ci ty is the f lagship in i t iat ive of Qatar Foundat ion and is located on the outskir ts of Doha. Today, Educat ion Ci ty covers 8.7 square mi les and houses educat ional faci l i t ies f rom ear ly school age to research level and branch campuses of some of the wor ld’s leading universi t ies – s ix f rom the United States.

There are current ly 1,300 students of more than 85 nat ional i t ies. Graduates have obtained degrees in the f ie lds of media, engineer ing, design, medicine, pol i t ics, business, museum curat ion, and Is lamic studies and go on to at ta in employment in the publ ic and pr ivate sectors.

Wide Range of Benef i ts

Educat ion Ci ty is a tool for modernizat ion and al lows Qatar to cont inue developing a v iable, advanced economy outside natural resource industr ies. By bui lding universi t ies, reforming the exist ing school system, improving vocat ional t ra in ing, and sett ing up an internat ional forum for ef fect ive innovat ion, Qatar is creat ing a regional research hub.

Not only are Qatar i and regional c i t izens becoming more educated, but there is also a wide range of benef i ts for Qatar. There are greater opportuni t ies for Qatar i women to study in higher educat ion inst i tut ions, which has already translated into increased freedoms for women in the country. T ies between the United States and Qatar are deepening, which strengthens U.S.-Qatar partnerships. And, Qatar i c i t izens are becoming global c i t izens, wi th increased awareness of internat ional cul tures. Qatar is able to achieve these things whi le maintaining i ts important cul tural values and character ist ics.

qataramerica.org@QatarAmericaUpdated February 2018

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A Global StewardQatar’s Humanitarian Response

Since 2011 Qatar spent $3.6 bi l l ion (QR13.2 Bi l l ion) on foreign aid in 100 countr ies and has commit ted $10 Bi l l ion to the betterment of humanity in the coming decade.

The State of Qatar f i rmly bel ieves in a mission to help the people of the wor ld by providing: natural disaster and post-conf l ict re l ief and rebui lding, humanitar ian assistance, refugee support , youth empowerment, community development, and qual i ty educat ion.

Natural Disaster Rel iefQatar is donating $30 million to help people in Texas recover from Harvey. Qatar pledged the funds through the newly created Qatar Harvey Fund, which Ambassador Meshal bin Hamad Al Thani said would work with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, local organizations and other Texas officials including the Houston mayor. The funds will be used to help rebuild communities affected by flooding.

In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina decimated much of the U.S. Gulf Coast, particularly New Orleans. Qatar, more than 8,000 miles away from the area of destruction, felt compelled to participate in New Orleans’ journey of recovery and rebuilding. Just two weeks after the storm, Qatar pledged $100 million to afflicted areas around New Orleans and beyond. Since this donation, Qatar has played an integral part in the recovery of the areas affected by the hurricane.

The 2010 earthquake in Haiti killed more than 300,000 people and left more than 1 million homeless. Qatar pledged $20 million to Haiti, healthcare support, education assistance, and Qatar has built permanent housing for victims.

Immediately after the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, Qatar donated $100 million to Japan to assist relief efforts and accelerate the recovery of victims. The fund aims to restore key economic drivers and promote recovery.

Refugee Support

Qatar has been deeply involved in supporting the international effort to provide aid to those suffering in the Syrian Crisis. In 2014, the country donated 358% of its delegated share to the cause and thus far, $2.5 billion has been donated to the Syrian people. Qatar’s commitment to the humanitarian crisis transcends financial boundaries: the country is deeply committed to improving the lives and futuresof 25,000 refugees. and counting.

Qatar has welcomed 25,000 Syrians to Qatar since the start of the crisis, adding up to a total of 54,000 Syrians living in Qatar. Qatar is committed to providing food, shelter and medical care to them, and has built two schools for the Syrian community to provide education for their children.

Qatar has donated $5 million to enable children to return to school by establishing safe learning spaces, providing psychosocial support for students, and offering self-learning materials and support lessons online to students who cannot access classrooms. These donations are designed to guarantee that children remain connected to education and betterment, regardless of the conflict surrounding them.

Educat ion In i t iat ives in the U.S.

Since 2009, Qatar Foundation International (QFI) has provided direct support to schools in the U.S. to establish or expand Arabic language programs in K-12 public and public charter schools.

QFI has worked with public and public charter schools at the elementary, middle, and high school levels to found, improve, and grow programs that expand access for students to learn about Arabic language and culture. Currently, QFI supports 25 schools in 8 states and Washington D.C., reaching over 2400 students.

Hurricanes

Earthquakes

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A Global StewardQatar’s Humanitarian Response

Rebui lding After Conf l ict

Ef for ts in Tunis ia

Global Recipients of Qatar i Aid

A vital element of Qatar assistance is rebuilding societies after conflict. Even in post-conflict environments, Qatar ensures that its assistance goes towards helping civilians.

During the 2014 Israel-Gaza War, more than 2,000 Palestinians – the majority of which were civilians – were killed. In addition, more than 100,000 people were left homeless and much of the territory’sinfrastructure was badly damaged.

In response, Qatar has pledged $1 billion for reconstruction in the region. Since 2013, Qatar has provided several million dollars for construction projects in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip and financed the Palestinian Authority’s purchase of a fuel shipment for the Gaza electricity generation plant.

The Qatari Red Crescent has launched relief efforts to help hundreds of thousands of people suffering from conflict and drought in northern Mali, where foreign aid groups had to abandon work when it fell under the control of extremist groups. The compounded issues of rising food prices, severe water shortages and the ongoing conflict, has created such acute suffering in the region that Qatar has allocated over $1.5 million to relief.

Qatar was one of the main partners of the “Tunisia 2020” conference held in November 2016, and represented an important station in the economic transition of Tunisia. The Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani announced at the conference Qatar’s pledge of $1.25 billion to support Tunisia’s economy and boost its development.

$250 million has been pledged by the Qatar Development Fund to support important projects in the sectors of education, health and economic empowerment within the Qatari pledge to support Tunisia. The Qatar Development Fund aspires to provide 15,000 job opportunities for Tunisian youth by the end of 2018 to contribute to the realization of their aspirations and to protect them from extremist ideologies.

The Qatari-Tunisian Friendship Fund provided more than 10,400 direct jobs and 26,500 indirect jobs through 3,400 small and medium-sized enterprises.

The State of Qatar supports the Tunisian government’s plan for development, economic and social development, enhancing political stability and mobilizing regional and international support for development projects.

qataramerica.org@QatarAmericaUpdated February 2018

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Qatar Inspires the World2022 FIFA World CupTM

Qatar is determined to use the 2022 FIFA World Cup™ to accelerate posi t ive change, open the doors of the region to the wor ld, progress towards achieving nat ional development goals and create a last ing legacy for Qatar, the Middle East, Asia and the wor ld.

Facts about the 2022 FIFA World CupTM

• The 2022 FIFA World Cup™ wi l l k ick of f on November 21, 2022 with the f inaltaking place on 18 December - Qatar ’s Nat ional Day - wi th the object ive, inpr inciple, of staging the tournament in 28 days.

• Qatar plans to host an amazing and histor ic 2022 FIFA World Cup™ whichdemonstrates how passionate i t is about sport and extend Qatar ’s legendaryhospital i ty to three bi l l ion footbal l fans wor ldwide.

• Establ ished in 2011 by the State of Qatar, the Supreme Commit tee for Del ivery& Legacy (SC) is responsible for host country planning and operat ions.

• The 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar™ wi l l be a fami ly f r iendly World Cup andcombine tradi t ional Qatar i and Arabic hospital i ty wi th innovat ive fan and playersolut ions to ensure a t ru ly unique tournament exper ience.

• The compact nature of the tournament wi l l a lso mean teams wi l l have to endureminimal t ravel and disrupt ion between accommodat ion, t ra in ing pi tches andstadiums, leaving players in peak condit ion for the wor ld’s biggest footbal l ingstage.

Human Impact

• Qatar wi l l harness the power of footbal l to st imulate human, social , economicand environmental development in communit ies across Qatar, the region andAsia.

• Famil ies and groups of fans arr iv ing from around the world wi l l exper ience asecure,human-centered tournament whi le support ing and inspir ing fair laborpract ices.

• Qatar is using the tournament as a catalyst for cont inued progress acrossworkers’ wel fare and labour reform and working to ensure Qatar as a nat ionis rais ing the bar in the t reatment and accommodat ion of employees. TheGovernment carr ied out over 1,800 inspect ions of Qatar-based recrui tmentagencies in 2015 to ensure they are not charging migrant workers recrui tmentfees.

• After the tournament, the stadiums and surrounding precincts wi l l becomevibrant hubs of community l i fe - an integral part of the legacy Qatar is bui lding.

• Qatar is focused on del iver ing programs that wi l l boost the economy anddevelop ski l ls across Qatar, exhibi ted, for example, by the work of the JosoorInst i tute.

• The stadiums, non-compet i t ion venues and other infrastructure Qatar isdel iver ing wi l l contr ibute to a compact and connected FIFA World Cup™ withsustainabi l i ty and accessibi l i ty at i ts heart .

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Qatar Inspires the World2022 FIFA World CupTM

Regional Impact• Through the SC’s values of uni ty, sustainabi l i ty , innovat ion,

legacy and qual i ty, Qatar wi l l del iver a FIFA World Cup™with a legacy that wi l l be fe l t across Qatar, the region andthe world, long af ter the last bal l is k icked on 18 December2022.

• Qatar wi l l be a base from which fans can explore the restof the region and is only an eight-hour f l ight f rom twothirds of the wor ld’s populat ion, meaning i t wi l l be one ofthe most accessible tournaments ever.

• The SC’s modular stadium plans wi l l a lso ensure that thetournament leaves a legacy in countr ies most in needof stadium infrastructure around the world. Post-2022 anumber of stadium wi l l reduce their capaci t ies and the SCwi l l donate 170,000 seats.

• Qatar wi l l support the regions br ightest minds throughthe Chal lenge 22 program and use footbal l to inspire andaccelerate development and dr ive ef fect ive social changein regional communit ies.

• Qatar is developing groundbreaking technology that wi l lhelp countr ies across the region with s imi lar c l imates holdsport ing events al l year round.

Global Impact• Qatar aims to uni te the people of the wor ld in sport so that they may f ind common purpose

and mutual respect in the shared exper ience of humankind.

• The innovat ive stadium designs and compact nature of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar™means the tournament wi l l leave the l ightest environmental footpr int of any modern-day FIFAWorld Cup™ and wi l l be a carbon neutral tournament.

• The Government has signed bi lateral agreements seeking to prevent “mal ic ious recrui tmentpract ices” wi th 35 countr ies f rom which migrant workers or iginate.

• The Government employs near ly 400 labor inspectors to invest igate s i te and accommodat ioncondit ions. These inspectors carr ied out over 44,500 inspect ions in 2016, resul t ing in 15,000remedy warnings being handed out, 1,100 infr ingement reports being lodged and close to900 businesses prohibi ted from doing business.

Announced 2022 FIFA World CupTM Stadium Designs

qataramerica.org@QatarAmericaUpdated February 2018

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Combating Extremism at its SourceU.S. and Qatar’s Fight Against Terrorism

Qatar ’s Counterterror ism EffortsQatar is a founding member of the Global Coal i t ion to Counter ISIS and works closely wi th i ts internat ional a l l ies to f ight terror ism. This includes host ing the Coal i t ion’s air operat ions at Al Udeid air base, f rom which at tacks on ISIS are launched every day. Qatar is also a member of the Global Counter Terror ism Forum, through which i t coordinates counter- terror ism ini t iat ives wi th 29 other member countr ies, including the US, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia.

Qatar also works closely wi th i ts al l ies to combat the f inancing of terror ism, including cracking down on indiv iduals accused of f inancing terror ism by freezing assets and imposing travel bans and signi f icant ly strengthening i ts legal f ramework to prevent i l l ic i t terror ism f inancing.

Concrete steps Qatar has made to combat terror ism:

• On 20 July 2017, His Highness the Emir fur ther amended ant i - terror legis lat ion in Qatar. Thedecree set rules for def in ing terror ism, acts of terror ism and the f inancing of terror ism. I ta lso created two nat ional terror ism l ists and establ ished rules for including indiv iduals andgroups on each l is t .

• On 11 July 2017, Qatar s igned a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) wi th the US out l in ingfuture ef for ts i t can take to for t i fy i ts f ight against terror ism and act ively address terror ismfunding issues. In l ine wi th the MoU, the US wi l l be deploying of f ic ia ls to the Qatar i stateprosecutor ’s of f ice.

• Qatar enacted new laws in September 2014 to increase government oversight of char i t ies,including prevent ing them from sending money abroad to char i t ies that are suspected off inancing terror ists, and more heavi ly regulat ing fundrais ing by indiv iduals, including viasocial media.

Qatar ’s strategy for counter ing violent extremism

In addit ion to these measures, Qatar counters v io lent extremism by addressing the root causes of terror ism. This development-based approach includes reconstruct ion, educat ion, economic empowerment and prevent ion. These ef for ts have benef i ted the mi l l ions of people vulnerable to v io lent extremism and terror ism, reducing the r isk of global terror ism.

They are structured around four pi l lars:

Reconstruct ion:• Qatar funds reconstruct ion ef for ts around the world to address the poor condit ions, including

lack of educat ion, housing, electr ic i ty, and heal th services that are conducive to terror ism.• In Gaza, for example, 1 mi l l ion sq. feet of destroyed homes and bui ldings have been rebui l t .

Simi lar projects have been undertaken in the West Bank, Darfur, and other areas global ly.

Educat ion: • The State of Qatar has al located the major i ty of i ts foreign aid to educat ional in i t iat ives.

I ts programs – including Educat ion Above Al l and Educate A Chi ld - provide educat ion for5m out of school chi ldren with commitments to r ise to 7 mi l l ion out-of-school chi ldren in 42countr ies over the next few years.

• In Syr ia, for example, Qatar supports the “Qatar Upholding Educat ion for Syr ians’ Trust” ,whose total funds exceed USD 100 mi l l ion. The f ive-year in i t iat ive seeks to provide educat ionand training to near ly 400,000 Syr ian refugees in Syr ia, Jordan, Lebanon, I raq, and Turkey.

Economic opportuni ty: • Qatar seeks to empower people economical ly and bui ld community resi l ience by reducing

unemployment, especial ly among youth. Overal l our ambit ion is to reach 2.7m Arab Youth by2021.

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and HE Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani sign the historical MoU.

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Combatting Extremism at its SourceU.S. and Qatar’s Fight Against Terrorism

“Today, Qatar is the first country to sign a memorandum of agreement with the US, and we call on the countries imposing the siege against Qatar to join us as signatories to this MoU.”

– Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammedbin Abdulrahman Al-Thani

Together the United States and Qatar will do more to track down funding sources, will do more to collaborate and share information and will do more to keep the region safe.”

– Secretary of State Rex Tillerson

The memorandum lays out a series of steps that each country will take in coming months and years to interrupt and disable terror financing flows and intensify counter terrorism activities globally.”

– Secretary of State Rex Tillerson

• Qatar-based Si latech, for example, has raised US$ 237 mi l l ion, creat ing a network of morethan 150 partners and connect ing more than 300,000 young Arabs to real job opportuni t ies.The Qatar Fr iendship Fund in Tunis ia promotes a cul ture of business leadership, helpingyouth strengthen their abi l i ty to lead development ef for ts and real ize their ambit ions.

Prevent ion: • Through innovat ive schemes such as the Global Community Engagement and Resi l ience

Fund (GCERF). Qatar is the only Arab country contr ibut ing to th is fund which is the f i rstglobal ef for t to support local , community- level in i t iat ives aimed at strengthening resi l ienceagainst v io lent extremist agendas. The scheme, whose funders include the United States, theEuropean Union and Switzer land, operates in countr ies such as Mal i , Niger ia, Kenya, Kosovo,Niger ia and Bangladesh.

U.S. Counterterror ism Efforts in Qatar

Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar is the largest overseas air base used by the United States and houses US CENTCOM Forward HQ, US Air Force Central Command Forward, US Special Operat ions Command Forward, Combined Joint Interagency Task Force–Syr ia, the Combined Air Operat ions Center, and the 379th Air Wing. Al Udeid has two act ive runways capable of handl ing every aircraf t in the U.S. inventory, together wi th robust fuel ing and ammunit ion storage faci l i t ies. I t hosts over 10,000 US troops plus more US support c iv i l ians. This complex has been bui l t up considerably over 14 years, wi th much of the funding provided by Qatar (over $5 bi l l ion).

A second mi l i tary faci l i ty in Qatar is Camp As Sayl iyah, a forward posi t ioning logist ics faci l i ty . I t has the equipment for an ent i re U.S. Army armored br igade and a number of warehouses. I t was essent ia l to American operat ions in I raq in 2003. This is not a capacity that can be quickly repl icated or moved.

On 17 October 2014, the Department of Defense formal ly establ ished Combined Joint Task Force - Operat ion Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR) in order to formal ize ongoing mi l i tary act ions against ther is ing threat posed by IS in I raq and Syr ia.US Central Command (US CENTCOM) is responsiblefor America’s Operat ion Inherent Resolve ant i - IS air operat ions.As of August 9, 2017, U.S. andcoal i t ion forces have conducted 13,000 str ikes in I raq, and 11,000 str ikes in Syr ia, for a total ofover 24,000 str ikes in support of Operat ion Inherent Resolve.

The Future of U.S.-Qatar Joint Counterterror ism Efforts

The State of Qatar and the United States s igned a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on combat ing terror ism f inancing on 11 July 2017 in Doha, Qatar.

At a jo int press conference with U.S. Secretary of State Rex Ti l lerson, HE Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said that the State of Qatar has become the f i rst country to s ign with the U.S. an agreement aiming to combat terror ism f inancing.

The MoU comes within the f ramework of the cont inuous bi lateral cooperat ion between the State of Qatar and the U.S., and as a resul t of the jo int col laborat ion between the two sides.

qataramerica.org@QatarAmericaUpdated February 2018

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