Qatar’s state-backed media platform Eekad has been operating as a covert tool to advance Doha’s geopolitical interests, according to newly disclosed documents and interviews with former employees. The Arabic-language outlet, which presents itself as an independent fact-checking organization, has produced content critical of Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates while defending Hamas and dismissing allegations of human rights abuses in Qatar. Multiple Eekad staff members have also held roles at Al Jazeera, Qatari government ministries, and state-affiliated firms, according to internal records obtained by The Cipher Brief.
Documents submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice under the Foreign Agents Registration Act reveal that Qatar has spent over $235 million since 2020 employing U.S. lobbying and public relations firms to shape its international image. These efforts include partnerships with entities such as the public affairs firm APCO Worldwide and the media strategy firm Ketchum, which have facilitated high-profile outreach to American media outlets. A 2025 interview between Tucker Carlson and Qatar’s prime minister, which gained widespread attention, was part of a broader campaign to bolster the emirate’s reputation, according to a source familiar with the arrangement.
Eekad’s content, which blends satellite imagery, network analysis, and short-form videos, has attracted a significant online audience across the Arab world. However, the platform’s funding and operational structure remain opaque. A former Eekad employee, who spoke on
