Speaking to Doha News at the @GSECForum in #Doha on Monday, Matthew F. Ferraro, a former Senior Counselor for Cybersecurity and Emerging Technology to the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, said Qatar was in the “crosshairs” of the regional conflict between the U.S. and #Iran.⁠ ⁠ Ferraro warned of growing cyber threats to government assets, including ministries, as well as businesses targeted by state-sponsored actors and criminal groups.⁠ ⁠ He praised #Qatar’s awareness of cybersecurity risks, describing its understanding of regional vulnerabilities as “quite advanced”. Ferraro added that strengthening Qatar’s #cybersecurity capabilities could also benefit the U.S. and other allies.⁠

The @GSECForum 2026 opened in #Doha on Monday, bringing together international experts to discuss shifting alliances and emerging global security challenges. Held under the theme “The Future of Alliances”, the three-day forum runs until 21 October, against a backdrop of geopolitical shifts and regional conflicts. The opening remarks were delivered by Qatar’s Minister of Interior and Commander of the Internal Security Force [Lekhwiya], Sheikh @KHK Al Thani.

#Qatar’s long-standing mediation efforts remain critical amid the ongoing war, with the #US relying on the country to help bring the conflict to an end, former US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara Leaf told Doha News. Speaking at the @GSECForum 2026 in #Doha on Monday, Leaf praised Qatar’s mediation record, saying the country had worked across several regions long before this year. She acknowledged that Qatar had “paid a price” for its role, adding that mediation was not easy but remained critical. Leaf said many #Gulf countries were paying a price because of the war, but expressed hope that Qatar’s efforts would help bring it to an end sooner.

#Qatar repositioned its defence assets within around six hours to counter emerging threats, following eight months of adaptations to its military operations, according to Head of Qatar’s Intelligence and Security Authority Staff Brigadier General Khalid Mohammed Al-Nuaimi.⁠ ⁠ Speaking during a panel titled “The Future of Defence Partnerships: From Alliances to Operational Capability” at the @GSECForum 2026 in #Doha on Monday, Al-Nuaimi said Qatar’s forces, doctrine and defence capabilities had initially been designed for a different threat environment.⁠ ⁠ Responding to a question from former White House counterterrorism official Chris Costa about lessons #Gulf forces had learnt in countering drones, Al-Nuaimi said the six-hour shift required rapid changes to Qatar’s operational concepts and the allocation of defence assets. He described the response as unprecedented and successful.⁠

#Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs, Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, stressed that #AlUdeid Air Base is a Qatari military facility, despite hosting U.S. forces and other international allies.⁠ ⁠ Speaking during a fireside chat with CNN national security analyst Peter Bergen at the @GSECForum in #Doha on Monday, Sheikh Saoud corrected Bergen after he described Al Udeid as the largest American base in the #MiddleEast.⁠ ⁠ Sheikh Saoud said the base has at times hosted representatives from more than 20 countries, with allies using the facility for military exercises, training and humanitarian missions. It has also served as a headquarters for regional operations, including the campaign against the Islamic State of #Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).⁠ ⁠ Sheikh Saoud added that Qatar continues to expand and develop the facility to meet the operational needs of its air force and armed forces, while allowing international allies to use parts of the base for joint activities.⁠