Thread by @TSaukur

💼 For decades, Israel had an undisputed lobbying monopoly in Washington. But now, a small Arab country is quietly challenging that dominance and winning.

It's Qatar! 🇶🇦

How is Qatar influencing U.S. policy, media and even rivaling the Israel lobby & what 🇮🇳 can learn? 🧵

1️⃣ Israel lobby- The whole world is aware that the Jews are the richest in US. Israel lobby is powerful which traditionally makes US take decisions in Israel's favour. Israel lobby totally spent $1,458,135 on pro-Israel lobbying. Pro Israel lobbies are- AIPC, Republican Jewish

Coalition, J Street, Pro-Israel America PAC, NORPAC, Democratic Majority for Israel. But now, their lobbying activities are facing intense competition from Qatar.

2️⃣ The Rise of Qatar Lobby- 🇶🇦 has gained huge influence in US politics, media, diplomacy through it's vast wealth.

The Free Press reports, Qatar has spent nearly $100 billion in the U.S. to build up its reputation and influence. Here's where they spent money 👇🏻
• $6 billion to American colleges: Qatar is the largest foreign funder of U.S. schools in the world.

• $224 million on lobbying and PR: In 2021 alone, they spent $51 million. By comparison, Saudi Arabia spent $25 million and the UAE spent $35 million.
(Pie chart shows Qatar's spending in the US by category)
•$8 billion on the U.S. military’s Al Udeid Air Base- Qatar completely

pays & hosts for the Pentagon’s primary logistical hub in the Middle East.
•$50 million to Newsmax, a conservative news site, the royal family also funds Al Jazeera and AJ+.
• A recent investigations reveal that Qatar has invested approximately $40 billion in American

institutions across various sectors, an undercount that includes only documented transactions. Cornell University is the biggest beneficiary receiving more than $2.1 Billion. Another report claims in 2023-24, Qatar alone poured $571Mn in American universities.

Qatar's primary

influence weapon remains its strategic financial investments. American businesses and real estate firms have benefited from over $33.4 billion in Qatari investment. Think tanks, nonprofits, and K-12 educational programs have received at least $48.5 million. The Middle East

Institute received significant funding from Qatar while producing analysis generally favorable to Qatari interests. The Brookings Institution famously accepted $14 million, raising questions about the independence of its Middle East analysis. Beyond this, Qatar has built an

extensive network of informal influencers — former government officials, business leaders, and media personalities — who promote Qatari interests without formal disclosure requirements.

A recent report exposed anti-Israel bias in American K-12 classrooms linked to secretive

Qatari funding, prompting calls for a federal investigation and stricter foreign funding disclosure requirements in education.
Qatar has also made inroads with U.S. municipalities. American mayors from cities including Atlanta, Montgomery, Columbia, and Rochester Hills recently

Travelled to Qatar seeking investment opportunities for their cities. This direct outreach to local governments provides another pathway for Qatari influence while evading federal oversight. Despite controversies of Qatar in various matters, US approved $1.96Bn military sales to

Qatar, including MQ-9B remotely piloted aircraft and related equipment. Qatar's purchase also included 10 defensive drone systems, 200 interceptors. Qatar is Smart! It realised that 2nd Trump administration places on direct business relationships and tangible economic benefits.

Qatar offered to provide a $400 million Boeing 747 to the US government. The nation is successful to lobby US under two different leaders- Biden & Trump. Qatar’s relationship with the Trump world has turned into a strategic one: Suisse Wiles, Trump's chief of staff worked in 🇶🇦.

Steve Witkoff, a Trump confidant and special envoy to the Middle East, had a failed NYC investment Rescued by Qatar, is now helping broker real estate & Security deals with Doha.

Fact Sheet from White House says, Trump secured a Historic $1.2 Trillion Economic Commitment in 🇶🇦.

Trump also announced economic deals totaling more than $243.5 billion between the United States and Qatar, including an historic sale of Boeing aircraft and GE Aerospace engines to Qatar Airways. Boeing and GE Aerospace secured a landmark order from Qatar Airways a $96 Bn

agreement to acquire up to 210 American-made Boeing 787 Dreamliner and 777X aircraft powered by GE Aerospace engines.
The sheet below states further groundbreaking deals:

3️⃣ The Outcomes of Lobbying: Qatar today is a MAJOR Defence base for the US in Middle East, which is why

it's tough to criticize the nation, it's bringing in investments into US, influencing US policies shaping it towards Pro-Qatar. Earlier, US universities which were being funded by rich jews/Israel lobby is now being challenged & outpaced.

Today, US universities are witnessing

more of Anti-Israel, Pro-Palestine rallies. Protests were the most frequent form of anti-Israel activity on college campuses throughout the academic year. The 1,713 protest actions tabulated during the year 2023-2024. On Oct 28th-29th, at Cornell University many anti Israel

slogans were making rounds on social media. During the 2023-2024 academic year, at least 86 BDS resolutions were considered across undergraduate, graduate and professional student organizations and faculty/staff unions. Seventy-seven passed and nine were voted down.

The BDS

movement, short for Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions, is a Palestinian-led global campaign advocating for boycotts, divestment, and economic sanctions against Israel. Such anti Israel activities have grown at a staggering rate of 628%.

What are the other factors making Israel

lobby weak in the US?
• Changing demographics & Political Views- Younger Gen are becoming more critical of Israel’s policies & activities in Gaza.

• Emergence of new candidates in Congress who challenge the traditional pro Israel lobby.

• More people are becoming aware of

The specific lobbying efforts employed by groups like AIPAC.

• Criticism of Nethanyahu's policies- for escalating wars, conflicts in Middle East regions, escalating conflicts in Gaza etc.

4️⃣ What can India learn from this- To keep it in Simple language, establish and

Strengthening of the Indian Lobby in the US. Having a strong Indian Lobby can generate more deals between India-US 🇮🇳 🇺🇸. Qatar solely didn't depend on embassies, rather it built a strong network which benefits the nation. 🇮🇳 should build or back institutions in D.C. that align

with its world view. India should target grassroot level lobbying also by keeping in touch with US mayors & not just at White House.

(This thread is based on Secondary sources & as a case study for India to make use of)

Sources- MO News, The Free Press, TOI, Middle East Forum.