DR. KOBBY BARDA --Before looking at last night’s events, we need one key idea: Retainer Diplomacy. Coined by Jonathan Adiri, the term describes how Qatar builds power around the world.
Instead of paying for a single action, Qatar pays people early—long before they reach influence. A steady retainer creates long-term loyalty. You get paid now, and when you rise to power, you know exactly who you owe.
Though it’s not confirmed that Qatar orchestrated this particular meeting, its familiar pattern is already visible. Qatar supported Zohran Mamdani’s mother, Pakiza Kazi, through funding reported as early as 2020, just as Mamdani began entering New York politics. Qatar also offered Donald Trump an extraordinary gift: a Boeing 747 worth roughly $400 million—an actual, formal offer.
