Project Endgame

Project Endgame was a Qatar founded espionage campaign targeting U.S. lawmakers. During March 2017 the American company Global Risk Advisors (GRA) that was formed by an ex-CIA officer by the name of Kevin Chalker, created a plan to fight against U.S. lawmakers who opposed Qatar’s support for Islamist groups like Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood.^[1][2][3]

Background

Global Risk Advisors (GRA) is a private intelligence and consulting company founded by Kevin Chalker, who used to work for the CIA.^[1] Some time during the mid-2010s, According to sources, Chalker and his company began working for Qatar, the Gulf country that has close ties with the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas. In 2017, some U.S. lawmakers introduced proposals to label the Muslim Brotherhood as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). Qatar, which saw attacks on Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood as threats to its own political interests, allegedly looked for ways to push back against these efforts.^[1][4]

The plot

In 2017 Journalists uncovered internal documents revealing Qatar's plan under the codename Project ENDGAME. A plan targeting lawmakers such as: Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, who supported bills against the Muslim Brotherhood.^[1][3] Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas, a strong critic of Islamist groups; and Representative Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida, who co-sponsored legislation opposing the Brotherhood.^[5][1] The idea was to create connections to people close to members of Congress and influence them. This was done in attempt to gain allies within congress, influence lawmakers directly and indirectly.^[1][3]

FBI Investigation

In 2022, the Associated Press reported that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) had launched an inquiry into Chalker’s work for Qatar. The investigation examined possible violations of laws governing foreign lobbying, surveillance, and export of sensitive technologies.^[5][6]

A letter of intent signed between GRA and Qatari representatives outlined services valued at up to $60 million over three years. These services included intelligence collection, predictive analysis, and information operations.^[5][6]

See also

• Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA)

• Qatar–United States relations