Qatar

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the architect of Qatar’s global influence and diplomatic ambitions, has died at age 74. He famously abdicated in 2013.

Qatari mediators are attempting to de-escalate tensions and facilitate indirect diplomacy between Washington and Tehran after a series of retaliatory strikes.

The U.S. and Iran pursue indirect talks via Qatar following a violent escalation in the Strait of Hormuz and extensive American military strikes.

Donald Trump departed a NATO summit in Turkey using a legacy Boeing VC-25A instead of a new Qatari-gifted jet. The switch occurred amid renewed trade of strikes between the U.S. and Iran.

Donald Trump has debuted a retrofitted Boeing 747-8 gifted by Qatar as a temporary presidential aircraft. The move has ignited bipartisan criticism over foreign influence and taxpayer costs.

The United States and Iran have halted hostilities in the Persian Gulf, though both nations offer conflicting accounts of diplomatic negotiations in Qatar.

FIFA has issued a five-game suspension to Qatar player Assim Madibo following a tackle that left Canadian midfielder Ismaël Koné with a broken tibia and fibula.