Instead, Doha seems to be doubling down on its relationship with the United States and its capacity to serve as a diplomatic go-between. Doha will continue its personalized diplomacy directed at U.S. President Donald Trump, in whom it has invested significantly. And from Venezuela to Gaza, Doha will continue working to show Washington that it can be a valuable diplomatic partner.

Israel’s Sept. 9 strike on Qatar set off a flurry of debate about how the country and its Gulf neighbors would respond. Coming on the heels of an Iranian strike against Qatar’s Al-Udeid Air Base over the summer, the attack suggested the limits of Qatar’s security policies: Neither an alliance with Washington nor a carefully crafted role as regional mediator could protect Doha from successive attacks by rival powers. As a result, some analysts wondered if Qatar, like its neighbors, would seek to diversify its security commitments away from Washington.

Israel’s Sept. 9 strike on Qatar set off a flurry of debate about how the country and its Gulf neighbors would respond. Coming on the heels of an Iranian strike against Qatar’s Al-Udeid Air Base over the summer, the attack suggested the limits of Qatar’s security policies: Neither an alliance with Washington nor a carefully crafted role as regional mediator could protect Doha from successive attacks by rival powers. As a result, some analysts wondered if Qatar, like its neighbors, would seek to diversify its security commitments away from Washington.

Instead, Doha seems to be doubling down on its relationship with the United States and its capacity to serve as a diplomatic go-between. Doha will continue its personalized diplomacy directed at U.S. President Donald Trump, in whom it has invested significantly.