McMaster: Turkey, Qatar problematic for U.S. foreign policy

CAIRO – 13 December 2017: U.S. National Security Advisor Herbert Raymond McMaster presented on Monday a collection of American enemies, including Turkey and Qatar for their extremist ideology.

During his meeting with his British counterpart, McMaster said that Turkey and Qatar, two major U.S. allies, are becoming more problematic in terms of American foreign policy.

He added that both nations are major supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood (MB), which is also the main reason that Turkey’s relations with the West have suffered in recent years.

McMaster warned of political Islam as well as the Muslim Brotherhood for their extremist ideology. He also said that the MB is financed by charities and social organizations.

He further remarked that Qatar and Turkey have financed the MB, stressing that the U.S. administration is determined to combat extremist ideologies.

The Arab Quartet has disseminated many facts about Qatar’s relations with various extremists since the start of 2017. Qatar has hosted three individuals designated by the U.S. as terrorists, namely Wajdi Ghoneim, Saad bin Saad al-Kaabi and Abdul Rahman bin Umair al-Nuaimi.

However, Qatar has denied all the allegations, insisting that the campaign launched by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain to boycott Qatar is based on fabricated and false news.

Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani delivered a speech in light of the current Gulf crisis in July.

During the speech, Tamim stated that all allegations against Qatar for supporting terrorism and extremists are not true.

On June 5, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain severed diplomatic ties with Qatar over accusations of sponsoring terrorist groups, and they then issued six demands that must be fulfilled by Qatar before a dialogue between Qatar and the Quartet can start.