The United Nations provided Qatar with equipment and training to prevent "a nuclear security incident" from occurring during the 2022 World Cup, according to the U.N.’s nuclear watchdog group.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which works on proliferation issues across the globe, says it has worked with Qatar’s National Committee for the Prohibition of Weapons for the past year "to thwart any attack involving nuclear or other radioactive material." The announcement comes as jihadist groups like al Qaeda urge its militant followers "wage jihad" against the tournament as Westerners pour into the country.
The threat of a terrorist attack has cast a shadow over the games, as regional jihadist groups rebel against Qatar’s decision to host the international event. Qatar, which is allied with the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism, Iran, has a checkered past when it comes to confronting jihadist groups. The small, Middle Eastern nation is known as a chief terrorism financing hub but is also closely allied with the West in its battle against terrorist groups.
The IAEA says that in the lead up to the games, the organization helped Qatar integrate its nuclear security measures into larger plans that could help disrupt a nuclear or radiological attack. This included providing "comprehensive training to national counterparts on developing and implementing nuclear security measures and on responding to nuclear security events and related emergencies."
