FBI Seizes Retired General's Data Regarding Qatar Lobbying

JUN 8 2022·Updated AUG 5 2022

Story

Image credit: AP [via New York Post]

The Facts

Federal court filings obtained on Tues. revealed that the FBI seized the electronic data of John R. Allen, a retired four-star Marine Gen., accusing him of making false statements and withholding "incriminating" documents about his role in a foreign lobbying campaign on behalf of Qatar.
NPR
Allen, who led US and NATO forces in Afghanistan until he stepped down to join the influential Brookings Institution could face criminal charges for working behind the scenes to influence US foreign policy in favor of the small, but wealthy Persian Gulf nation. Brookings placed Allen on administrative leave on Wed.
The New York Times
The court filings detailed Allen's alleged efforts to help Qatar influence US policy in 2017, when Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and other countries declared a blockade of Qatar over alleged ties to terror groups and other issues. Former Pres. Trump appeared to support the move against Qatar.
guardian
The 77-page search warrant application, first obtained by AP News, was believed to have been filed in error and was removed from the docket after reporters from the news agency asked federal agencies about its contents.
The Associated Press
The revelations come after former ambassador to the UAE and Pakistan, Richard G. Olson, pleaded guilty to federal charges of illegal lobbying last week.
Daily Mail
Imaad Zuberi, a business executive with ties in the Middle East, was found guilty of violating foreign lobbying, campaign finance, and tax laws, as well as for obstruction of justice last year. He is reportedly an associate of Olson and Allen.
nytimes

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

As former Marine Gen. Allen himself has said, his actions were to protect the interests of the US as well as military personnel stationed abroad. He has voluntarily assisted the government's investigation.

Al Jazeera

Narrative B

As the search warrant application states, Allen gave federal agents a "false version of events" when questioned about his involvement during the 2017 crisis in Qatar. Allen unethically worked as a Qatari agent for huge financial gains.

Daily Mail

Cynical narrative

Gulf lobbying in Washington is, unfortunately, not an issue specific to Qatar. The UAE and Saudi Arabia both spend millions to influence think tanks and policymakers alike when it comes to the US's posture toward the Persian Gulf. It will be difficult to extinguish this open corruption.

Responsible Statecraft