Why Trump’s Executive Order on Qatar Marks a Historic Shift

Critical Questions by Mona Yacoubian

Published October 2, 2025

On September 29, President Trump signed an executive order entitled "Assuring the Security of the State of Qatar" that recognizes the "enduring alliance" between the United States and Qatar and provides Qatar an explicit security guarantee in the event of "external attack." The executive order states, "the United States shall take all lawful and appropriate measures-including diplomatic, economic, and, if necessary, military-to defend the interests of the United States and the State of Qatar and to restore peace and stability."

Q1: What is the significance of the executive order?

A1: The executive order's explicit security guarantee is unprecedented for any Arab country, significantly deepening Qatar's ties to the United States. Notably, as an executive order, the guarantee can be easily reversed by the next president. It ties Qatar's security directly to U.S. national security interests by assuring, "The United States shall regard any armed attack on the territory, sovereignty, or critical infrastructure of the State of Qatar as a threat to the peace and security of the United States." The presidential directive also highlights joint contingency planning between the United States and Qatar as part of a coordinated response to "any foreign aggression" against Qatar.

The order is a notable upgrade from Qatar's Major Non-NATO Ally status conferred in 2022 by the Biden administration following Qatar's cooperation with the Afghanistan evacuation. While the United States maintains strong security relationships with other Arab partners such as Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia, none of these countries benefit from an explicit security guarantee from the United States. Saudi Arabia has pursued a mutual defense pact with the United States, initially as part of the discussions around normalization with Israel; however, efforts to achieve the agreement have stalled.

Q2: Why was it issued at this time?

A2: The executive order coincided with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Oval Office meeting with President Trump and appeared part of a broader effort by President Trump to make amends to Qatar following Israel's September 9 strikes on Doha. (Qatar was also hit by Iranian missile strikes in June.) President Trump also orchestrated an Israeli apology to Qatar, delivered by Prime Minister Netanyahu in an Oval Office phone call with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. The apology paved the way for Qatar's reengagement as a mediator, with the president enlisting Qatar to convey his trumpeted 20-point peace plan-the centerpiece of his meeting with Netanyahu-to Hamas leaders in Doha.

Q3: What is the broader context for understanding the executive order?

A3: The executive order occurs against the backdrop of an emerging multipolar order in the Middle East with the Gulf as its new "center of gravity." First, it highlights the Trump administration's deepening relationship with Qatar and underscores the value the administration places on Qatar's mediating role. The order describes Qatar as "a steadfast ally," highlighting its mediation efforts and directing the U.S. secretary of state to continue the mediation partnership, an explicit recognition of the role Qatar has carved for itself as part of the Gulf's broader efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region. It also implicitly endorses Qatar's role as a go-between with Hamas-a role that has stirred controversy for Doha in the past.

Second, the order deters Israel from undertaking any additional strikes on Qatar. In his apology statement, Prime Minister Netanyahu appeared to leave some room for interpretation regarding future strikes by noting that "Israel has no plan to violate [Qatari] sovereignty again in the future." The executive order's strong language, deeming any attack on Qatar as a threat to the United States, effectively forecloses the possibility that Israel will find a way to renege on its promise.

Finally, the U.S. security guarantee to Qatar follows the announcement of a mutual defense pact between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. At the same time, the agreement was months, if not years, in planning; its timing soon after the Israeli strikes underscores the Gulf's growing concerns over the reliability of the United States as a security guarantor. In an increasingly multipolar Middle East, the Saudi-Pakistani pact signals Saudi Arabia's willingness to diversify its security partnerships away from heavy reliance on the United States. Mindful of these shifting alliances, the Trump executive order is likely aimed at reassuring anxious Gulf partners that the United States takes seriously the threats to their security.

Mona Yacoubian is senior adviser and director of the Middle East Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C.

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