Bob, an internet search turn up one U.S. military base in Qatar. Read a report not long ago of Qatar royals and Saudi royals aims being one and the same. To answer your question am going to approach from this angle. iran is probably being setup to be attacked. By whom I do not know but believe the blame will be placed on Israel. (imho) moslems are moslems be they shia or sunni. All moslems will react violently once iran is attacked. Probably one of the thought out plans from one of the think tanks.
Pravda says we have three bases in Qatar ... http://english.pravda.ru/world/asia/24-01-2013/123571-qatar_usa-0/ ... Must be where I remembered the number three bases from.