When in February 2015, His Highness the Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani visited Washington, DC, he arrived with a clear and insistent message: Qatar is ready to play a pivotal and long-term role in ensuring peace and stability in the Middle East. 

His Highness the Amir’s visit represented the latest important chapter in Qatari-US relations. Relations between the two countries have always been friendly since diplomatic relations were established in 1972 and the US opened its diplomatic mission in Doha. HH the Amir’s visit was preceded by visits by Qatar’s Minister of Finance and the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The Qatar-US relationship was strengthened during the 1991 Gulf War when the two countries signed a defense cooperation agreement, and further cemented during the Kuwaiti conflict, which underscored the need for even stronger bilateral relations and cooperation on multiple diplomatic and security fronts.

Since 1992, Qatari-US relations have continuously grown at multiple levels: political, military, economic, health, cultural, and educational.

In May 2015, His Highness the Amir participated in a series of White House and Camp David Meetings with representatives from other GCC countries to discuss with US President Barack Obama ways to enhance the US-GCC regional partnership and deepen security cooperation.

The Qatar-US relationship is built on trust. It is a relationship that demonstrably serves the interests of both nations as well as the greater good of global and regional peace.