Qatar is embarrassing itself
Conservative radio host and author Mark R. Levin has accused Qatar of a double standard in its foreign policy, labeling the Gulf state a "terror state" in a social media post. Levin pointed to a difference in Qatar's response to alleged sovereignty violations by Iran and Israel.
American conservative radio host and author Mark R. Levin accused Qatar of hypocrisy in its handling of alleged sovereignty violations by Iran and Israel, labeling the Gulf nation a "terror state" in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that garnered significant attention.
In his post, Levin wrote: "Funny how Qatar didn’t accuse Iran of violating its sovereignty. Funny how Qatar didn’t run to the UN. Funny how Qatar didn’t call for Arab countries to create a defense pact against Iran. Funny how Egypt and Turkey didn’t burp a word. All bullsh*t. Qatar is a terror state."
In June 2025, Iran launched ballistic missiles targeting U.S. troops at the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, which hosts American and British forces. Qatar issued a condemnation, describing the strike as a violation of its sovereignty and reserving the right to respond. However, reports and analyses at the time suggested the response was limited and performative.
For instance, the attack was reportedly coordinated in advance, with the base evacuated to avoid casualties, and Qatar's statement concluded by attributing blame to Israel for escalating regional tensions. No formal complaint was lodged at the United Nations, and there were no calls for a broader Arab defense alliance against Iran. Saudi Arabia condemned the Iranian action strongly, offering support to Qatar, but Egypt and Turkey remained notably silent on the matter.
In contrast, when Israel conducted an airstrike in Doha, Qatar's capital, targeting Hamas "negotiators", Qatar strongly condemned the attack as a "treacherous" and "cowardly" violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The strike drew widespread international criticism, including from the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, who called it a "shocking breach." The UN Security Council described it as a "flagrant violation" of Qatar's sovereignty.
Regional bodies responded strongly. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), meeting in Doha, condemned the Israeli action in the strongest terms and vowed to activate joint defense mechanisms in solidarity with Qatar. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) also denounced the strike as an unacceptable violation of Qatari sovereignty. Leaders at the summit urged diplomatic and economic measures against Israel, emphasizing the attack's impact on mediation efforts for a Gaza ceasefire.
Qatar, a small but influential Gulf state, hosts the largest U.S. military base in the Middle East at Al Udeid and has long played a mediating role in regional conflicts, including hosting Hamas political leaders and facilitating talks between Israel and Palestinian groups. It has faced repeated accusations from critics, including Israeli officials and U.S. conservatives, of supporting terrorism through its ties to groups like Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood. Qatar denies these claims, asserting its actions promote peace and stability. It actually refers to itself as a 'state of peace' and the world is stupid enough to believe it.
This disparity in responses has fueled debates on social media and among analysts about selective outrage in the region, with some viewing Qatar's approach to the Iranian incident as restrained due to shared economic interests, including joint gas field development, while its reaction to Israel aligns with broader Arab solidarity against Israeli actions.