Soft Power, Hard Accusations: When Does a Diplomatic Gift Become Political Coercion?
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The Objects in Motion Project. Developed by students in Dr. Mark Auslander’s class, Global Studies and Cross Cultural Analysis (ANTH-205), at the University of Southern California-Capital Campus. Fall 2025.
Created by: Joel Martin, Exodus Ramos, Chase Williams & Shawn Aslam
Object of Inquiry
The government of Qatar has gifted a luxury Boeing 747-8 aircraft to the United States, intended for potential use as a future Air Force One. Valued at approximately $400 million, it is the most expensive foreign diplomatic gift ever offered to the U.S. government.
Brief Historical Summary
Originally built and outfitted for Qatar's royal family, the aircraft was offered to the U.S. during the Trump administration as a gesture of alliance and strategic cooperation. Its acceptance on May 21, 2025 sparked domestic and international controversy, raising questions about the political, historical, and cultural issues surrounding the exchange.
Our project investigates this gift by tracing its historical significance, examining its social and political dimensions, applying anthropological theories from Mauss, Marx, and Winnicott, analyzing international interpretations, and evaluating the limits of the exchange. We understand that the aircraft functions as both a physical item and a diplomatic gesture that carries political and cultural meaning. Its transfer highlights foreign influence, national-security standards, and the shifting norms of diplomatic exchange between the U.S. and Gulf monarchies.
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