Major non-NATO ally: In 2022, the U.S. designated Qatar a Major Non-NATO Ally, reflecting its strong military ties. Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar is the largest U.S. military installation in the region and a strategic hub for operations. Some opponents of the training facility cite a 2019 incident in which a Saudi air force officer, who was training at a US naval base, killed three US service members. They question the security measures in place for foreign military personnel, particularly those from predominantly Muslim countries. Allegations of Qatari influence Critics have raised ethical and corruption concerns, pointing to Qatar's financial dealings with high-profile US figures, including the Trump family. They contend that this influence-buying led to the approval of the Idaho facility. Specific examples mentioned by critics include: Counterterrorism cooperation: The U.S. Department of State's Country Reports on Terrorism has noted increased counterterrorism (CT) cooperation with Qatar, including a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2017. Financial oversight: A 2023 assessment by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) found that while Qatar had made improvements to its system for combating money laundering and terrorist financing, it still needed to address deficiencies in its criminal justice response. Trump, as president in 2017, accused Qatar of being a "funder of terrorism" but has since deepened relations with the country. Meanwhile, some GOP and MAGA supporters feel that the training facility runs counter to an "America First" agenda. Beloud