President Joe Biden designated Qatar a major non-NATO ally, as an honor that grants special status to a key friend in a turbulent region. Biden made the announcement on Monday during a meeting with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani at the White House. The honor was bestowed following its assistance during the Afghan pull-out and Israel-Hamas war, Gaza.
The West’s energy needs rely on European countries, and it will face a severe energy crunch if Russia invades Ukraine. Joining a gas-rich country like Qatar will be a beneficial alliance. Qatar can get MQ-9 Reaper drone sale approval valuing more than $500 million through this. An anonymous administrative official added the “Non-Nato Ally” designation does not guarantee the country’s support for Ukraine or NATO, but is an honor for its past assistance.
On the other hand, in light of Russia’s disregard for UN Charters, Japan is ready to create a US alliance as the country plans to lift the ban and host American INF missiles amidst war tension in Ukraine.
Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty of 1987 prohibits the SOVIET and the US from deploying conventional and nuclear ballistic and cruise missiles.
The US is free to use these missiles in several countries, but its chances in China and North Korea are very slim. Installing these powerful missiles in Japan will further its security and deter China and North Korea’s aggression. Japan is ready to ally with the US, given that China is currently backing Russia in preventing NATO’s interference.
