Qatar spent $5 mln to influence US public, politicians: Political warfare consultant
Qatar spent $5 million in the United States trying to influence the public and politicians, political warfare consultant David Reaboi told Al Arabiya, citing documents filed to FARA.
Under the Foreign Agent Registration Act (FARA), institutions in the US that take money from abroad must file a report showing where funds come from and how they are used.
The Qatar American Foundation was set up by the former US Ambassador to Qatar after he left office, and he set up the Qatar American Institute (QAI). Documents filed to FARA recently became public.
Read more: New US lawsuit alleges Qatar secretly funded terror attacks that killed US citizens
“In this case, specifically, they targeted Republicans. So they targeted Republicans who hate [US President Donald] Trump and Republicans who love Trump. And they did that through various different ways,” Reaboi said.
Reaboi added that the QAI spent about $180,000 to buy advertising on a radio talk show hosted in Virginia, which is close to Washington DC.
Read more: The Muslim American lobby is divided and ineffective
“He was just selling advertising. But obviously, the Qataris got a lot more than that in terms of their spent [money],” Reaboi said.
The QAI has also given money to Michael Steele, the former Republican party head, who has within the past few years grown distant from the GOP and has become one of the most visible critics of Trump.
Read more:
Why is Turkey’s Erdogan persecuting the Gulen movement?
Ending police brutality in the US: Policy proposals for better policing
-
Coronavirus: Qatar reports 1,716 new COVID-19 cases, four new deaths
Qatar reported 1,716 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, bringing the total in the country to 73,595, according to the Ministry of Health.Health ... Coronavirus -
GCC may restore ties with Qatar if Doha complies with demands: Saudi UN ambassador
Saudi Arabia and other countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) are open to restoring diplomatic relations with Qatar, but only when Doha ... Gulf -
Coronavirus: Qatar announces 1,368 cases, 3 new deaths from COVID-19
Qatar announced 1,368 new coronavirus cases on Monday, bringing the total in the country to 70,158.According to the Qatari Ministry of Health, 24,166 ... Coronavirus -
UK $2 bln lawsuit against Barclays over Qatar financing begins
For Barclays Plc, the memories of the financial crisis and its rescue by Qatari investors just won’t go away.When Barclays tried to avoid state ... Economy