Sen. Corker: Qatar has played 'unhealthy' role in Syria
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee grilled Obama administration nominees for ambassadors to Arab countries.
Key lawmakers put the Barack Obama administration on notice June 11 that Congress is running out of patience with a number of strategic partners in the Middle East and can no longer be counted on to prop up authoritarian rulers through endless flows of military aid.
The nomination hearing for President Obama's picks to serve as ambassadors to Egypt, Iraq and Qatar quickly devolved into a recitation of bipartisan grievances about the direction the region is headed. Members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee said all three countries shared some blame and pressed the nominees to deliver a stern message.
While oil-rich Qatar does not receive US aid, lawmakers warned that its strategic partnership with the United States could be harmed if it continues to support Islamist militants in Syria.
"Because of our inability, or lack of desire, in taking the lead relative to the Syrian opposition, Qatar obviously has taken a role that is unhealthy," said Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., the top Republican on the committee.
