DID Press: Hamad bin Jassim, Qatar’s former foreign minister, stated openly: “The Al-Udeid military base was established at the request of the United States. We built the base, but we realized we only have 12 aircraft while the facility can hold more than 40. We said either we close the base or allow a friend, under an agreement, to use it. As a result, we agreed that the U.S. would use it.”
The way Hamad bin Jassim defended the “independence” of his country is so contradictory and weak that it even takes on an almost humorous aspect. He initially states firmly that the military base in question was created solely for Qatar’s use. But as soon as the interviewer questions him, he shifts the claim to the media, attributing it to outside reporting.
Later, he makes no effort to preserve appearances at all, openly saying: “Do you think the U.S. would go somewhere and hand full control to someone else? That is baseless.”
This admission effectively renders Qatar’s claimed independence meaningless, showing that the country does not exercise full control over a strategically important military base, and that U.S. influence dominates its operations.