Doha, Qatar — The Qatari prime minister warned on Saturday that talks over Gaza’s future have reached a “critical” moment as leaders gather at the 23rd Doha Forum to discuss regional conflict resolution and global cooperation.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani told attendees that negotiations to end Israel’s offensive in Gaza require urgent diplomatic focus to prevent further humanitarian catastrophe. The remarks came as world leaders, diplomats and business executives convened in Qatar’s capital for the annual platform for international dialogue.
Navy admiral contradicts White House over drug-boat strike
In Washington, a U.S. Navy admiral who oversaw lethal strikes on an alleged Venezuelan drug boat in September told lawmakers that the vessel was not heading to the United States, contradicting previous claims from President Donald Trump.
Admiral Frank Bradley said during a Thursday briefing that intelligence indicated the small boat was on course to transfer narcotics to a larger ship bound for Suriname, according to reporting by CNN. Bradley added that while the drugs might ultimately have been routed to the U.S. after onward transit, the immediate trajectory did not point directly at American shores — a nuance that shaped the operational justification for the strike.
Doha Forum draws top-level attendance
The 23rd Doha Forum has drawn presidents, prime ministers and senior ministers from across the globe. This year's theme, "Justice in Action: Beyond Promises to Progress", frames debates on conflict resolution, economic resilience and energy security. Organizers expect roughly 6,000 participants from more than 150 countries.
“Mediation and conflict resolution is where Europe and the Gulf can come together to resolve a lot of these issues,” said Majed al-Ansari, advisor to Qatar’s prime minister and spokesperson for the Qatari Foreign Ministry.
Gulf–Europe cooperation and energy security
Majed al-Ansari urged closer cooperation between Gulf states and European governments to tackle shared regional challenges that ultimately affect Europe as well. He highlighted maritime security, the Russia–Ukraine fallout, and the Red Sea security situation as topics needing coordinated policy responses.
Qatar sees AI driving long-term energy demand
Qatar’s Minister of State for Energy Affairs, Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, told CNBC at the forum that he expects rising global AI workloads to push electricity demand higher. “When you look at the AI requirements around the world — every country we talk to has an additional 15–20 percent of their demand that’s going to come from AI,” Al-Kaabi said, adding that this trend will sustain gas demand even as many countries transition away from coal.
Al-Kaabi also addressed concerns over an EU sustainability law that could impose penalties on state-owned energy firms; he said Doha hopes for a resolution by the end of the year.
Summary: At the Doha Forum, Qatari leaders appealed for urgent diplomatic efforts to resolve the Gaza crisis, while regional and global speakers emphasized mediation, shared energy security concerns and the impact of AI on future gas demand. Meanwhile, in the U.S., new details from a Navy admiral add nuance to the narrative around a September maritime strike.