Qatari intelligence chief honored by CIA

Qatar's State Security Agency chief, Abdullah bin Mohammed al-Khulaifi, has been awarded the prestigious George Tenet medal by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) for his significant contributions to enhancing intelligence cooperation with the United States. The award was presented by CIA Director Bill Burns earlier this week, highlighting al-Khulaifi's role in bolstering national and regional security between the two allied nations in the Gulf. According to reports from US media outlet Axios, al-Khulaifi was recognized for his "exceptional support" to the CIA, which has been crucial in safeguarding the interests and security of both the US and Qatar. The collaboration between the Qatari agency and the CIA has been particularly focused on counterterrorism efforts aimed at preventing potential threats and attacks in the Middle East. While both the CIA and Qatar's State Security Agency have yet to publicly comment on the award, the recognition underscores the longstanding relationship between Qatar and the US. This partnership has been solidified over decades, with Qatar hosting the vital US Air Force base at Al-Udeid, which plays a key role in regional security operations. The George Tenet medal, named after the former CIA director who served from 1996 to 2004, symbolizes the importance of intelligence collaboration in addressing contemporary security challenges. Tenet was instrumental in the US military's operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, further emphasizing the significance of strong intelligence alliances.