Hello from Doha! It’s my third time here and my first time to get out of the airport.

Qatar has a lot of interesting politics I have been reading about. They have been accused of sponsoring terrorism. Some countries have faulted Qatar for funding rebel groups in Syria, including al-Qaeda’s affiliate in Syria, the al-Nusra Front, although the Saudis have done the same. Qatar has allowed the Afghan Taliban to set up a political office inside the country however Qatar is a close ally of the United States, hosting the largest American base in the Middle East, Al Udeid Air Base.

It’s a booming place – at least where I am in the hotel center on the Persian Gulf. It’s always dark when I’m here – due to flight connections. It’s 2030 here and I will be heading to bed by 2130. I have a 4am wake up and then off to Africa. From here it’s an 8 hour flight with one stop in Entebbe.

More tomorrow!