🧵🧵The Middle East Forum (MEF) just came out with a new report detailing Qatari influence in America since 2012.
A country of 300,000 people have spent $40 Billion dollars in America. $33.4 billion dollars in real estate and business ventures, $6.25 to American universities and $72 million dollars for lobbyists.
This thread is a summary of the findings of Middle East Forum. The article/research paper is linked at the end of the thread.
A country of 300,000 people have spent $40 Billion dollars in America. $33.4 billion dollars in real estate and business ventures, $6.25 to American universities and $72 million dollars for lobbyists.
This thread is a summary of the findings of Middle East Forum. The article/research paper is linked at the end of the thread.
US Businesses, Real Estate, and Investment Firms
Qatar has made strategic investments in American businesses totaling at least $33.4 billion. QIA opened New York City offices in 2015 to help facilitate its U.S. investments, and in 2015 the Gulf emirate committed to investing $45 billion in American businesses. Doha likely reached or surpassed this goal in recent years based on QIA’s growth trajectory and total assets.
But the true value of Qatar's real estate empire is hard to ascertain. In addition to direct ownership of properties, QIA holds shares of real estate companies and often does business through spinoffs and affiliates. One estimate suggests the Qataris have spent tens of billions on properties that amount to ten million square feet of prime real estate in Manhattan.
The Qatari flag actually flies above the entrance of the Plaza Hotel in New York City.
They entered the real estate market in Washington DC in 2010 and California in 2016 with a 1.34-billion-dollar joint venture in 4 class office buildings in Los Angeles.
Qatar has made strategic investments in American businesses totaling at least $33.4 billion. QIA opened New York City offices in 2015 to help facilitate its U.S. investments, and in 2015 the Gulf emirate committed to investing $45 billion in American businesses. Doha likely reached or surpassed this goal in recent years based on QIA’s growth trajectory and total assets.
But the true value of Qatar's real estate empire is hard to ascertain. In addition to direct ownership of properties, QIA holds shares of real estate companies and often does business through spinoffs and affiliates. One estimate suggests the Qataris have spent tens of billions on properties that amount to ten million square feet of prime real estate in Manhattan.
The Qatari flag actually flies above the entrance of the Plaza Hotel in New York City.
They entered the real estate market in Washington DC in 2010 and California in 2016 with a 1.34-billion-dollar joint venture in 4 class office buildings in Los Angeles.
In the past three years, QIA has injected billions of dollars into American investment firms. This includes deals with wealth management titans like AlTi Global ($485 million) and KKR ($180 million). Qatar has secured investment deals with companies owned by powerful political figures, such as former Treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin’s Liberty Strategic Capital, which received $500 million in capital from QIA and its partners in 2022, and Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners, which received $1.5 billion in joint ventures between Qatar and its Gulf neighbors.
After 10/7, The Middle East Forum sent 30,000 emails to American CEOs detailing all the way in which Qatar poses a threat to American national security due to their support for international terrorism.
Qatar has also been making inroads and investments in AI and cutting-edge technologies through its Digital Agenda 2030.
After 10/7, The Middle East Forum sent 30,000 emails to American CEOs detailing all the way in which Qatar poses a threat to American national security due to their support for international terrorism.
Qatar has also been making inroads and investments in AI and cutting-edge technologies through its Digital Agenda 2030.
Reflecting growing concerns over foreign control of critical infrastructure in the United States, 22 states have passed bills in the past two years restricting foreign ownership of property and essential systems like energy, transportation, communications, and public health assets.
In 2019, Qatar Energy invested over $4 billion in the Golden Triangle Polymers plant in Orange, Texas, which is expected to produce 2.08 million metric tons annually of ethylene, a key component in plastics and other industrial materials.
A joint venture with ExxonMobil and Qatar Energy illustrates the potential dangers of sharing advanced industrial knowledge with Qatar. The two companies invested at least $8 billion in the Golden Pass Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) export plant. Built on the site of a gas-import terminal in Sabine Pass, Texas, the repurposed export plant is expected to produce 18 million metric tons of LNG annually, significantly boosting America’s position as a leading global exporter of LNG amid growing demands.
Doha is America’s chief competitor when it comes to the global export of LNG. The U.S. only recently surpassed Qatar as the world’s top exporter of natural gas, and as the Gulf state continues to expand production capacity, the rivalry is expected to continue into the 2030s and beyond.
This is just a small sampling of the infrastructure investments Qatar has made in America.
In 2019, Qatar Energy invested over $4 billion in the Golden Triangle Polymers plant in Orange, Texas, which is expected to produce 2.08 million metric tons annually of ethylene, a key component in plastics and other industrial materials.
A joint venture with ExxonMobil and Qatar Energy illustrates the potential dangers of sharing advanced industrial knowledge with Qatar. The two companies invested at least $8 billion in the Golden Pass Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) export plant. Built on the site of a gas-import terminal in Sabine Pass, Texas, the repurposed export plant is expected to produce 18 million metric tons of LNG annually, significantly boosting America’s position as a leading global exporter of LNG amid growing demands.
Doha is America’s chief competitor when it comes to the global export of LNG. The U.S. only recently surpassed Qatar as the world’s top exporter of natural gas, and as the Gulf state continues to expand production capacity, the rivalry is expected to continue into the 2030s and beyond.
This is just a small sampling of the infrastructure investments Qatar has made in America.
Lobbying, Public Relations, and Legal Activities
Qatar has made significant financial investments in direct lobbying, public relations, and legal services, spending $71,576,688 since 2015.
They lobby politicians from both parties from former congressional members to their staffs, ex administration officials and campaign officials. They empower the highest-powered attorneys in DC employed to whitewash Qatar’s record of terror sponsorship, corruption, and labor abuses.
Doha's lobbying activities intensified during periods of intense public scrutiny such as during the anti-Qatar embargo of 2017 and the lead up to the 2022 World Cup.
Qatar has made significant financial investments in direct lobbying, public relations, and legal services, spending $71,576,688 since 2015.
They lobby politicians from both parties from former congressional members to their staffs, ex administration officials and campaign officials. They empower the highest-powered attorneys in DC employed to whitewash Qatar’s record of terror sponsorship, corruption, and labor abuses.
Doha's lobbying activities intensified during periods of intense public scrutiny such as during the anti-Qatar embargo of 2017 and the lead up to the 2022 World Cup.
"During the Biden administration, Qatar sought to “convince Washington to allow Doha to play the role of mediator and project wider influence in the Middle East,” according to an analysis in the Arab Weekly. Qatar hoped to insert itself into U.S.-Iran nuclear talks, while representing Muslim Brotherhood and other Islamist factions throughout the region."
During the Biden era, they started to position themselves as the primary mediator in negotiations between Hamas and Israel through the US. While at the same time being accused of shilling for terrorists and allowing them to keep their 11 billion dollars of wealth in their banks and live in Doha.
During the Biden era, they started to position themselves as the primary mediator in negotiations between Hamas and Israel through the US. While at the same time being accused of shilling for terrorists and allowing them to keep their 11 billion dollars of wealth in their banks and live in Doha.
Starting in 2018, Qatar retained the services of Ballard Partners, a firm headquartered in Tallahassee, Florida, and led by Brian Ballard. Ballard Partners earned $115,000 a month in a contract with Qatar that required “providing advice, counsel, and other assistance with respect to efforts to combat human trafficking.” At the time, Qatar was accused of gross human rights abuses regarding its migrant workers.
But Qatar's most powerful alliance actually stems from their strategic lobbying plan put together by Moran Global Strategies, headed by former twelve-term Virginia Congressman Jim Moran (D).
Qatar signed contracts with his strategic lobbying firm for 1.725 million dollars. Moran subcontracted part of this work to a law firm that retained former Congressmen Tom Davis (R-VA) and Tom Reynolds (R-NY), who focused on targeting Republican members of the U.S. House and Senate.
Qatar signed contracts with his strategic lobbying firm for 1.725 million dollars. Moran subcontracted part of this work to a law firm that retained former Congressmen Tom Davis (R-VA) and Tom Reynolds (R-NY), who focused on targeting Republican members of the U.S. House and Senate.
An agent from Moran Global Strategies spent 6 days meeting with Republican Senator Roger Marshall while the pair were in Qatar discussing domestic and foreign policy positions.
In March of 2025, at a hearing about foreign money in our higher education Marshall went off on a witness who questioned 6.2-billion-dollar investment in American institutions.
Marshall was once among Qatar’s fiercest critics, speaking at a 2019 Middle East Forum conference that characterized the Gulf state as a “global menace.
It is on video, a video I posted after I heard the hearing.
Moran has represented Qatar since 2017 back when he was with McDermott Will & Emery.
"Following the disastrous U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, Nelson Mullins distributed a document highlighting praise for Qatar’s role in “facilitating the airlift of 60,000 men, women, and children” from Afghanistan. Then-Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez (D-NJ), who was later convicted for accepting gold bars as a payment in a bribery scheme involving Qatar, called the Gulf country “moral exemplars” for temporarily hosting Afghans bound for the U.S. “They saved our butts,” said former Rep. Scott Taylor (R-VA) in a statement distributed by Nelson Mullins."
Interesting.
In March of 2025, at a hearing about foreign money in our higher education Marshall went off on a witness who questioned 6.2-billion-dollar investment in American institutions.
Marshall was once among Qatar’s fiercest critics, speaking at a 2019 Middle East Forum conference that characterized the Gulf state as a “global menace.
It is on video, a video I posted after I heard the hearing.
Moran has represented Qatar since 2017 back when he was with McDermott Will & Emery.
"Following the disastrous U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, Nelson Mullins distributed a document highlighting praise for Qatar’s role in “facilitating the airlift of 60,000 men, women, and children” from Afghanistan. Then-Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez (D-NJ), who was later convicted for accepting gold bars as a payment in a bribery scheme involving Qatar, called the Gulf country “moral exemplars” for temporarily hosting Afghans bound for the U.S. “They saved our butts,” said former Rep. Scott Taylor (R-VA) in a statement distributed by Nelson Mullins."
Interesting.
Qatar has leveraged former U.S. political insiders—including ex-congressional staffers like Andrew King and elite lobbyist Imaad Zuberi—to build influence in Washington.
King, once Sen. Lindsey Graham’s deputy chief of staff, facilitated Qatari outreach and investments, including in South Carolina's Barzan Aeronautical and Boeing-linked projects.
Graham became a strong Qatar advocate, while Zuberi who secretly lobbied for Qatar and funneled campaign donations through GOP fundraiser Caroline Wren was later jailed for foreign lobbying violations.
King, once Sen. Lindsey Graham’s deputy chief of staff, facilitated Qatari outreach and investments, including in South Carolina's Barzan Aeronautical and Boeing-linked projects.
Graham became a strong Qatar advocate, while Zuberi who secretly lobbied for Qatar and funneled campaign donations through GOP fundraiser Caroline Wren was later jailed for foreign lobbying violations.
Imaad Zuberi, an elite lobbyist for QIA was paid $10 million for “secretly” lobbying the White House and Congress on behalf of Qatar.
He donated to Graham and South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster’s campaigns and was later sentenced to 12 years in prison for failing to register as a foreign agent and unregistered lobbying.
He donated to Graham and South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster’s campaigns and was later sentenced to 12 years in prison for failing to register as a foreign agent and unregistered lobbying.
Influence in Think Tanks
- Qatar spent over $48 million on U.S. think tanks, nonprofits, and K-12 schools to shape policy and public narratives.
- The Brookings Institution received $30 million and hosted numerous pro-Qatar events and Islamist speakers while allegedly avoiding criticism of Doha.
- Investigations revealed that some Brookings staff (e.g., Gen. John Allen) may have engaged in unregistered lobbying for Qatar.
- Other funded think tanks include:
Stimson Center ($2.3M): Accused of lobbying against a U.S. cybersecurity bill.
RAND Corporation and Middle East Institute: Produced research generally favorable to Qatari interests.
- Such funding compromises the independence of institutions that shape U.S. policy.
K–12 Education Influence
- Through Qatar Foundation International (QFI), Doha has invested millions into American K–12 schools to promote Arabic language and "cultural understanding."
- Some classroom materials misrepresent Israel as Palestine, raising concerns about ideological bias.
- Programs in Texas and New York were especially scrutinized.
- Though Brown University closed its Qatar-linked curriculum, legislation like the TRACE Act to monitor foreign K–12 funding has seen limited traction.
Higher Education Domination
- Qatar is the largest foreign donor to U.S. universities, officially giving $6.25 billion (likely underreported).
- Top recipients include Yale, Columbia, Harvard, Georgetown, Cornell, Carnegie Mellon, often via the Qatar Foundation to bypass disclosure laws.
- Qatar-funded campuses in Education City (Doha) embed Qatari influence in U.S. institutions.
- Reports link Qatari money to:
Suppression of anti-Qatar criticism
Pro-Hamas and anti-Israel narratives
Spikes in campus antisemitism
Control over sensitive U.S. research, raising national security concerns
- Universities like Texas A&M are now exiting Qatar, citing academic and IP control issues.
- Northwestern University ended its partnership with Al Jazeera (Qatar-owned) amid growing scrutiny.
- Qatar spent over $48 million on U.S. think tanks, nonprofits, and K-12 schools to shape policy and public narratives.
- The Brookings Institution received $30 million and hosted numerous pro-Qatar events and Islamist speakers while allegedly avoiding criticism of Doha.
- Investigations revealed that some Brookings staff (e.g., Gen. John Allen) may have engaged in unregistered lobbying for Qatar.
- Other funded think tanks include:
Stimson Center ($2.3M): Accused of lobbying against a U.S. cybersecurity bill.
RAND Corporation and Middle East Institute: Produced research generally favorable to Qatari interests.
- Such funding compromises the independence of institutions that shape U.S. policy.
K–12 Education Influence
- Through Qatar Foundation International (QFI), Doha has invested millions into American K–12 schools to promote Arabic language and "cultural understanding."
- Some classroom materials misrepresent Israel as Palestine, raising concerns about ideological bias.
- Programs in Texas and New York were especially scrutinized.
- Though Brown University closed its Qatar-linked curriculum, legislation like the TRACE Act to monitor foreign K–12 funding has seen limited traction.
Higher Education Domination
- Qatar is the largest foreign donor to U.S. universities, officially giving $6.25 billion (likely underreported).
- Top recipients include Yale, Columbia, Harvard, Georgetown, Cornell, Carnegie Mellon, often via the Qatar Foundation to bypass disclosure laws.
- Qatar-funded campuses in Education City (Doha) embed Qatari influence in U.S. institutions.
- Reports link Qatari money to:
Suppression of anti-Qatar criticism
Pro-Hamas and anti-Israel narratives
Spikes in campus antisemitism
Control over sensitive U.S. research, raising national security concerns
- Universities like Texas A&M are now exiting Qatar, citing academic and IP control issues.
- Northwestern University ended its partnership with Al Jazeera (Qatar-owned) amid growing scrutiny.
America for Sale: Qatar’s $40 Billion Spending Spree Buys Influence and Control of Elite Institutions - Middle East Forum
meforum.org/mef-reports/am…
meforum.org/mef-reports/am…
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