Qatar’s propaganda machine could be ‘first casualty’ of LNG collapse

Qatar's liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports have plummeted 96% following Iranian drone and missile attacks on its Ras Laffan facility, the world's largest LNG-producing site. This damage, which knocked out 17% of Qatar's export capacity, is estimated to cost $20 billion annually in lost revenue and will take three to five years to repair. QatarEnergy is now seeking to secure 2-3 million metric tons per year of LNG from U.S. producers through 2031 to replace lost capacity and has declared force majeure on long-term contracts with European and Asian customers.

“Hopefully, Qatar’s decades-long project to advance pro-Islamist, anti-American, anti-Israel causes will be one of the first casualties of the devastating loss of its LNG revenues,”

said John Hannah, a former U.S. national security adviser, suggesting that the financial strain could force Qatar to reassess its international investments and foreign policy. Dr. Ariel Admoni of Ariel University noted that Qatar may have strategically leaked some information about its economic difficulties to project credibility to investors, but believes that while some cuts to soft-power policy may occur, a complete turnaround in its underlying motivations, including campaigns against Israel, is unlikely.