By: Ahmed Fathi
New York: In a recent exclusive report by Fox News Digital, documents obtained suggest that Qatar engaged in an alleged state-funded espionage campaign, targeting Republican lawmakers who opposed Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood. The operation, known as "Project ENDGAME," was reportedly orchestrated by Global Risk Advisors (GRA), a U.S. company founded by former CIA employee Kevin Chalker.
The documents reveal that Sen. Ted Cruz was a primary target due to his efforts to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. The Qatari-funded plan, dating back to March 2017, aimed to thwart anti-Hamas and anti-Muslim Brotherhood legislation. It warned that Cruz's reintroduction of a bill to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist group could bring Qatar into the conflict.
Qatar has faced criticism for allegedly harboring Hamas leaders and financing the group, particularly following a Hamas attack in southern Israel in October 2023 that resulted in casualties, including Americans. Sen. Cruz emphasized Qatar's significant financial support for the Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas, and other terrorist groups, asserting that it has influenced parts of Washington, D.C., into silence.
The article highlights the interconnectedness of Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood, with the proposal stating that an attack on either group is perceived as an attack on Qatar. The report references allies like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, which have designated the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization.
The existence of "Project ENDGAME" was first reported in a 2022 AP article, "FBI probing ex-CIA officer’s spying for World Cup host Qatar." Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, who co-sponsored a bill to sanction the Muslim Brotherhood, revealed that GRA marked him as one of Qatar's enemies. Diaz-Balart expressed concern about Qatar targeting U.S. senators and emphasized the need to address the situation.
Another notable figure on Qatar's alleged hit list is Sen. Tom Cotton, known for favoring Egypt's secular ruler over the former Muslim Brotherhood regime. Despite GRA's offensive spy operation against Cotton, the senator's spokesperson declined to comment.
Rep. Jack Bergman, with expertise in Qatar's power politics, pledged to hold Qatar accountable, raising questions about the security of U.S. servicemen and women at CENTCOM's headquarters in Doha, where approximately 8,000 personnel are stationed.
Former House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce, also targeted by Qatar, did not respond to inquiries. The State Department referred questions to the FBI, which neither confirmed nor denied specific investigations.
Kevin Carroll, representing Kevin Chalker and GRA, refuted allegations of wrongdoing, emphasizing the absence of pending indictments and the dismissal of cases in California. Chalker criticized the FBI, and Carroll advised against reporting on the allegations.
The article delves into a signed letter of intent between Qatar and GRA, outlining services provided for $60 million over three years. It notes financial records and payments from Qatar to a Gibraltar-based company reportedly owned by Chalker.
"Project ENDGAME" also targeted the Counter Extremism Project (CEP), leading to allegations of hacking and a PR campaign against the organization. Former U.S. Ambassador Mark Wallace accused Qatar of whitewashing its support for Hamas and attempting to bribe an American.
Qatar faces accusations of bribing European parliament members, which the Qatari Embassy in Washington, D.C., categorically rejects as baseless and misinformed.
The article concludes with Qatar's media strategy outlined in "Project ENDGAME," highlighting alleged media assets like The New York Times, Middle East Eye, and The Intercept. Responses from these media organizations varied, with some denying the allegations and others declining to comment.
Despite Qatar's denial of wrongdoing, the report raises concerns about its alleged espionage activities and efforts to influence U.S. lawmakers and media outlets.