Donald trump, the 45th president of the United States of America, is a deeply divisive figure. He has parted public opinion down the middle and he has a lot of supporters and opponents.

His views about the Middle East and ‘Radical Islamists’ are pretty hardcore and the politics in the region is likely to see a bumpy ride under Trump.

However, Shazar Shafqat, an independent researcher and freelance policy analyst, argues that Qatar and Trump’s USA are getting closer all the time. He puts forth his observations in an article in the Middle East Eye.

Qatar is open for US business

Qatar, a major player in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), is sitting on the sidelines, waiting for Trump to make the first move. And he may have already done so.

It is only natural that Trump, a successful businessman himself, will have great affinity towards the American Chamber of Commerce. Robert Hager, president of the chamber’s Qatar branch, announced on January 24 that the US is considering a renewed bilateral relationship with Qatar.

He also said that “Qatar is going to have a unique position in the Trump administration.”

With over 120 American companies flourishing in Qatar and sending back much-needed Dollars, this is exactly what Trump has been advocating for. It is unlikely that the new president will disrupt this equation.

Lt General Flynn, Trump’s national security advisor, has worked in Qatar before and knows the Qatar administration well.

Qatar: America’s ‘go-to-guy’

Saudi Arabia have always been the major power in the region. However, their relationship with the USA soured recently with the 9/11 litigation episode. There is a good chance that Doha can now take top spot and become America’s go-to guy in the Gulf.

Considering the planned increased spending on defence, and the defence agreement Qatar has with the US, patterns of warfare might change in the region. Trump, it seems, plans to carry out decisive attacks against ‘radicals’ in the Middle East. If that happens, Qatar will be in a key position to come to the aid of Trump’s administration. Additionally, Qatar has mostly always been supportive of the US army’s wartime policies.

Qatar: Gateway to the Horn of Africa

Over the years, Qatar has made massive investments in East Africa, especially Sudan. Around 40,000 Sudanese live and work in Qatar and the relationship between the two countries is very robust.

For long, Sudan has been on the US suspect list of terror-supporting states. America has gradually expanded its military bases into east Africa. Moving forward, Qatar could help be the go-between between the two countries.

A realignment toward Qatar also bodes well for the other GCC countries None of the Gulf states were on the list of Middle East nations whose visas face increased restrictions under Trump.

Qatar may, at this point in time, seem to be fighting above its weight in the international arena. But with Trump potentially on its side, it is an opportune time for the country to flex its economic, military and diplomatic muscles beyond its borders.

Trump is likely to need to rely on Qatar and other Gulf states in any future confrontation with Iran. Qatar will be required to provide the Americans with the support they require, without compromising its own national interest.

Welcome to the world of the renewed Qatar-US relationship.