Qatar’s Stealthy Influence Operation in the US via an American Nonprofit
Qatar’s Influence Campaign in American Politics Exposed
In 2022, Utah’s Republican attorney general Sean Reyes made headlines when he was spotted at the World Cup in Qatar. The tiny oil-rich kingdom, notorious for human rights abuses and financing terrorism, seemed like an odd choice for a public official. However, Reyes and his team offered an explanation: Qatar had paid for his trip through the Attorney General Alliance (AGA), an American nonprofit organization.
The AGA presents itself as a bipartisan forum for state attorneys general to collaborate. But according to sources, it has become a “laundromat” for unsavory entities like Qatar to hide their influence campaigns in American politics. Members from both sides of the aisle, including Reyes and former Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich, have participated in AGA’s Qatar trips.
AGA’s Valuable Role
While Utah has no disclosure requirement for foreign trips, disclosure forms filed by attorneys general from other states shed light on AGA’s role. For example, Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford’s disclosure revealed that AGA footed the $15,000 bill for his Qatar trip, even though it was actually covered by the Qataris. Hawaii Attorney General Clare Connors’ disclosure showed that AGA paid for her $12,000 trip in 2020. Brnovich, who has traveled to Qatar multiple times, also indicated that AGA covered his travel costs.
According to a top aide to an attorney general who has traveled with AGA, the nonprofit has become a “laundromat” for undisclosed activities. The aide explained, “AGA figured that its number one thing to sell is that it can get AGs to go on foreign trips with them.”
Qatar’s Soft Power Strategy
Qatar’s interest in AGA becomes clear when examining the group’s pitch to potential sponsors. AGA’s 2021 call for sponsorships advertises attorneys general as the next generation of political leaders. The list of “Noteworthy Former AGs” includes prominent figures like former President Bill Clinton, Vice President Kamala Harris, and U.S. Senators John Cornyn and Richard Blumenthal. This suggests that AGA offers access to future political stars.
Qatar’s lobbying spending in the United States since 2017 has reached nearly $200 million. Jonathan Schanzer, a former terrorism finance analyst for the U.S. Treasury, describes Qatar’s efforts to gain influence as “staggering.” The country’s seemingly endless wealth allows it to finance lobbying, acquisitions, and sports events to expand its soft power.
The Role of Richard Smotkin
Qatar’s lobbying spending includes payments to Richard Smotkin, associated with AGA through his firm ThirdCircle Inc. Smotkin has been paid nearly $2 million by Qatar since registering as a foreign agent in 2019. His activities appear to be related to AGA trips to Doha, as stated in his filings.
Smotkin, who is viewed as a nefarious figure, coordinates AGA’s Middle East trips. His lobbying firm, ThirdCircle, is listed as one of AGA’s sponsors. However, the exact amount paid by the firm is unknown.
AGA’s Lack of Transparency
AGA’s transformation into a vehicle for undisclosed activities has raised concerns among legal professionals. Chris Toth, the former executive director of the National Association of Attorneys General, expressed alarm at the growing influence of lobbyists and corporate money in the attorney general arena. He highlighted AGA’s dependence on corporate and lobbyist money, which raises questions about transparency and potential conflicts of interest.
Qatar’s involvement with AGA has drawn criticism due to its history of human rights violations and illicit financing of terrorism. The country’s role in brokering discussions with the Taliban and its support for their comeback further raise concerns about Qatar’s intentions.
AGA’s lack of transparency regarding its donors and Qatar’s involvement in funding trips and events is troubling. The organization’s tax filings show a significant increase in revenues, largely due to sponsorships. AGA’s executive director, Karen White, has seen her salary rise alongside sponsorship revenues.
Conclusion
The exposure of Qatar’s influence campaign through AGA raises serious questions about the integrity of American politics. The involvement of state attorneys general in undisclosed activities funded by Qatar undermines transparency and raises concerns about potential conflicts of interest. AGA’s transformation into a “laundromat” for unsavory entities highlights the need for greater scrutiny and regulation in the realm of political influence.
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