In response to a wave of social media backlash from critics as well as MAGA voices, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a “clarification” on the social platform X Friday about a newly announced military facility involving Qatar, insisting that it falls far short of being a “foreign base” on U.S. soil. Earlier on Friday, Hegseth and Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister & Defense Minister, Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman al‑Thani, formally announced a letter of acceptance to construct a Qatar Emiri Air Force facility at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho. The purpose, Hegseth said, is to host Qatari ...