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Every time they’re making progress, it seems like he bombs someone

TOI 12/9/25"US President Donald Trump’s administration is reportedly growing frustrated with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, after Israel bombed a meeting of Hamas leaders in Qatar on Tuesday while they were reportedly gathered to discuss a US-proposed framework for a hostage-ceasefire deal.Trump has made it clear that he was displeased by Israel’s strike — in no small part because it targeted Hamas leaders inside Qatar, a close US ally — saying in its wake that it did not “advance Israel or America’s goals.” But he also stressed publicly that he believed “eliminating Hamas” was a “worthy goal.”Yet a report by Politico on Thursday suggested that the Trump administration was more frustrated by the situation than it has publicly let on.“Every time they’re making progress, it seems like he bombs someone,” a person close to Trump’s national security team told Politico. “That’s why the president and his aides are so frustrated with Netanyahu.”It was unclear whether the strike would impact efforts to reach a hostage release and ceasefire deal, but Hamas official Fawzi Barhoum said on Thursday that the assassination attempt on the group’s senior leadership was “an assassination of the entire negotiation process.”Asked how the strike would affect the negotiation efforts, Trump told Israel’s Channel 14 at a press gaggle Thursday: “Hopefully, it won’t affect it at all.”“We want the hostages out, and we want them out soon. Hopefully it won’t affect it,” the president repeated.Meanwhile, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani told the UN Security Council on Thursday that his country “will continue [its] humanitarian and diplomatic role without any hesitation in order to stop the bloodshed.”An Arab diplomat involved in mediation efforts had told The Times of Israel earlier Thursday, however, that all mediation efforts, previously led primarily by Qatar and Egypt, had halted since the Tuesday strike.“When one party chooses to bomb the mediator and one of the negotiating delegations, what kind of talks can be considered valid?” the official said."

David Ainsworth ● 4d9 Comments

Ummm - "Why would Trump risk alienating the Qataris in that way, jeopardising all those privileges?"Indeed, it is very contradictory, isn't it?Why would Trump? Why, when he is otherwise widely famed for his logical nature, consistency, perspicacity and trustworthiness (as India has found).I can see how my inveterate anti-Zionism may have led me away from the complete truth.The Arab nations meeting to discuss how they should react to this innocent and legitimate action will realise that they are totally mistaken, I am sure. They may suggest (or beg) that the US anti-missile radar, at the enormous US Qatar base, is updated.----------------------------"Do I contradict myself?Very well then I contradict myself,(I am large, I contain multitudes.)"(Walt Whitman)

David Ainsworth ● 1d

I was struck by the contradiction between David Ainsworth's initial post, suggesting  that Trump secretly  gave his approval for Israel's missile strike, and his second post, where he outlines in some detail all the privileges which America enjoys in Qatar. It makes no sense. Why would Trump risk alienating the Qataris in that way, jeopardising all those privileges? I am afraid that, as with so many posts on the topic of Israel, emotion is the enemy of reason. David Ainsworth's inveterate anti-Zionism leads him to criticise Israel and its chief ally, America  at every opportunity without considering whether he is contradicting himself.

Steven Rose ● 1d

Mr Ainsworth'"Trust in me, just in meShut your eyes and trust in meYou can sleep safe and soundKnowing I am aroundSlip into silent slumberSail on a silver mistSlowly and surely your sensesWill cease to resistTrust in me, just in meShut your eyes and trust in me"The only thing you can be trusted to do is repeatedly attack Israel as the epitome of state sponsored evil whilst deliberately ignoring the atrocities carried out by the Arab states Iran, Syria, Lebanon, Gaza and the West Bank of Palestine that wish to annihilate it and its Jewish citizens.Your faux whimsy does not hide your antisemitic views and fools nobody.

John Hawkes ● 1d

What does Qatar pay towards the Al Udeid Air Base?"Qatar funds a significant portion of the costs associated with Al Udeid Air Base, including its original construction and ongoing expansion. While the United States covers its own operational costs, Qatar's financial contributions are substantial and a key part of the defense partnership. Qatar's financial contributionsInitial construction: In the 1990s, Qatar paid over $1 billion to build the air base, specifically to host U.S. forces and establish a stronger security relationship.Ongoing development: Since 2003, Qatar has contributed more than $8 billion toward developing and upgrading the base, which serves as a critical hub for U.S. Central Command operations.Recent expansions: As part of its investment, Qatar has funded major expansion projects.In 2018, Qatar announced a $1.8 billion project to expand the base.In May 2025, a White House fact sheet mentioned that the U.S. and Qatar had signed a "statement of intent" outlining over $38 billion in potential investments, including support for "burden-sharing at Al Udeid Air Base".Investment as a diplomatic tool: Experts note that Qatar's funding for the base serves a strategic purpose. By making itself "indispensable to Washington" and hosting a large U.S. military installation, Qatar secures its own protection and enhances its political standing in the region. United States' financial responsibilitiesOperational costs: The U.S. military covers its own day-to-day operational costs at the base.Military construction contracts: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has awarded millions in contracts for specific military construction projects, such as U.S. housing and command facilities.No "rent" paid: The U.S. does not pay traditional rent to Qatar for basing its forces there. Instead, the arrangement relies on cost-sharing and mutual defense cooperation." (AI)

David Ainsworth ● 1d

"Israel’s attack was probably unwise in that it risked alienating their  American allies. But I don’t have much sympathy for Qatar which for years has played a double game, cosying up to the Americans while offering sanctuary to the Hamas leadership, sanctuary which they used to plot the massacre of October 7."As if the US knew nothing of the coming attack! If Qatar has been playing a double game, what sort of game has the US been playing?"Trust in me, just in meShut your eyes and trust in meYou can sleep safe and soundKnowing I am aroundSlip into silent slumberSail on a silver mistSlowly and surely your sensesWill cease to resistTrust in me, just in meShut your eyes and trust in me"

David Ainsworth ● 1d

Israel’s attack was probably unwise in that it risked alienating their  American allies. But I don’t have much sympathy for Qatar which for years has played a double game, cosying up to the Americans while offering sanctuary to the Hamas leadership, sanctuary which they used to plot the massacre of October 7.

Steven Rose ● 1d

https://www.timesofisrael.com/qatari-pm-says-israel-must-be-punished-for-strike-vows-to-continue-ceasefire-efforts/amp/

Philippa Bond ● 1d

I'd assume that could be complicated by the Qatari forces sharing a big base with US Forces (and various other important factors).

David Ainsworth ● 4d

One has to feel sorry for President Trump: that Nobel Peace Prize is receding into the distance ... let's hope Qatar doesn't exercise its right of self defence and retaliate against Israel :-(

Michael Ixer ● 4d