Trump's Doha Visit: Big Deals, Quiet Diplomacy

Trump's Visit to Qatar: Mediation, Boeing Deal, and Unstated Concerns US President Donald Trump concluded a state visit to Qatar on May 14, 2025. His meetings with Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani focused on several key issues, including Qatar's role in international mediation and a large-scale purchase of Boeing airplanes. The deal involves up to 210 US-made Boeing airliners, valued at $96 billion. This substantial investment highlights the strengthening economic ties between the US and Qatar. While public statements from both leaders touched upon various topics, including the situation in Ukraine and Iran, the Israeli-Gaza conflict was notably absent. However, Al Jazeera English interviewed James Bays, who reported that Steve Witkoff, the presidential envoy dealing with the Ukraine conflict, also discussed the Gaza situation in a private conversation. Witkoff expressed optimism about progress on all fronts, a statement that Bays questioned further. The visit underscores the complex geopolitical landscape and the strategic importance of Qatar in the Middle East. The large-scale Boeing deal signifies the continued economic cooperation between the US and Qatar, despite the absence of explicit public discussion of other pressing regional conflicts.