US and Qatar Strike Secret Deal to Maintain Dominance with Largest Middle East Military Base

The United States has discreetly extended its military presence at a large base in Qatar for another 10 years, according to three US defense officials and another official familiar with the agreement who spoke with CNN. This deal, which has not been publicly announced, underscores Washington's dependence on the small Gulf country, which has recently become a key player in mediating the release of Americans from captivity in Gaza and Venezuela.

The largest US military installation in the Middle East, the Al Udeid Air Base, is situated in the desert southwest of Doha and has the capacity to accommodate over 10,000 American troops. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin expressed gratitude to Qatar for their increased investment in the base during his visit to Al Udeid last month.

He did not mention the renewal, and the Biden administration has not publicized it, despite Qatar facing increased scrutiny for hosting senior Hamas leaders. Qatari officials countered that they only allowed Hamas to open a political office in Doha at the request of the US during the Obama administration. The base has been a critical hub for the US Central Command's air operations in Afghanistan, Iran, and the Middle East, with the Qatari and British Air Forces also operating from there.

The US has increased its presence in the region in response to escalating threats from Iran-backed militant groups in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen. Following the kidnapping of 240 hostages by Hamas on October 7, Qatar has played a key role in negotiations, working to secure the release of Israeli and international captives. Qatar remains a central figure in ongoing discussions to revive hostage negotiations, collaborating with the CIA, Israels Mossad, and Egypt.

Qatar's involvement in the negotiations over Americans detained by Venezuela was less public, but it came to light after President Nicolas Maduro released 10 Americans last month in exchange for a close ally accused by the US of laundering hundreds of millions of dollars.

Qatar's participation in both sets of negotiations has been regarded as an extension of the mediating role that the country has taken on with other US enemies, including Iran and the Taliban. Analysts say that Qatar's vast oil and natural gas wealth, coupled with its ability to act as a facilitator, allows the country to wield significant influence.

Qatar's hosting of the Hamas leadership has been widely known, and the recent brutal massacre in Israel on October 7 has sparked criticism and calls for Qatar to expel Hamas.

President Joe Biden has mentioned his discussions with Qatar's emir, but there have been occasions when they have not received the recognition they believe they deserve. In a November op-ed in The Washington Post, Biden did not mention Qatar, while referencing Egypt and other Middle East allies. Similarly, Qatar's role in the release of detainees in Venezuela was not highlighted in Biden's official statement.

The Pentagon declined to comment on Tuesday in response to CNN's request.

During the 2021 American withdrawal from Afghanistan, thousands of Afghans were airlifted from Kabul to Al Udeid. US military personnel faced challenges in accommodating the large number of refugees, as referred to by Biden as "one of the largest, most difficult airlifts in history."

Qatar has invested billions of its own funds to upgrade the facilities for US Airmen at the base. Al Udeid became CENTCOM's main air base in 2003, relocating forces and assets from the Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, where the presence of a large number of American military personnel was more sensitive and controversial.

Although Austin did not announce the extension of the Al Udeid agreement during his visit to the base last month, he did state that the US and Qatar "will formally take steps forward to expand and strengthen our bilateral defense relationship."