Episode Details

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Qatar is one of the smallest countries in the world. Yet according to a new report from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, it has invested more than $400 billion in the United States over the past fifteen years.

Where has that money gone? And what does Qatar hope to gain in return?

In this episode, Aviva Klompas speaks with Jonathan Schanzer, Executive Director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, about Qatar's vast footprint across American life—from universities and K-12 education to lobbying firms, think tanks, real estate, energy infrastructure, professional sports, and defense.

They discuss why Qatar has spent so heavily cultivating influence in the United States, how it has positioned itself as an indispensable partner in Washington while simultaneously hosting Hamas leaders and supporting Islamist movements, and why so many American institutions have accepted Qatari funding with relatively little scrutiny.

Guest Bio:

Dr. Jonathan Schanzer is Executive Director at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, where he oversees the organization’s research and policy work. A former terrorism finance analyst at the U.S. Treasury, Jonathan has tracked and disrupted funding networks for groups like Hamas and al-Qaeda. He’s authored several books on the Middle East, including Gaza Conflict 2021, State of Failure, and Hamas vs. Fatah. A frequent congressional witness and media commentator, his analysis appears regularly in major outlets including CNN, Fox News, and the BBC.

Mentioned in this episode:

Mapping Qatar’s $400 Billion Footprint in the United States

The Ugly Game: The Corruption of FIFA and the Qatari Plot to Buy the World Cup by Heidi Blake