The James W. Foley Legacy Foundation highlighted Al-Khulaifi’s role as Chief Negotiator, noting that he “has played a decisive role in securing the release of Americans held in Afghanistan, Iran, Gaza, and Venezuela.
Qatar’s Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mohammed Al-Khulaifi has been named the 2026 James W. Foley Hostage Freedom Award in recognition of his role in securing the release of Americans held abroad and advancing humanitarian diplomacy.
The award honours leaders in hostage recovery, press freedom, public service, and humanitarian efforts, advancing the Foundation’s mission to bring Americans home and protect journalists worldwide.
The announcement was made jointly by Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation.
“I’m honoured to receive this award from the James Foley Fund. I’m only one member of a dedicated team of mediators who work tirelessly to build trust and create pathways for peace. This recognition reflects Qatar’s steadfast commitment to mediation and the pursuit of peace through partnership,” Al-Khulaifi said in a statement on x.
The James W. Foley Legacy Foundation highlighted Dr. Al-Khulaifi’s role as chief negotiator, noting that he has played a decisive role in securing the release of Americans held in Afghanistan, Iran, Gaza, and Venezuela.
The Foundation highlighted that “he opened dialogue where none existed, built trust, and steered complex negotiations in the most challenging environments.” In cases where the U.S. lacked official relations, foundation noted that “he created pathways for communication and humanitarian solutions.”
The Foundation added that his work “underscores Qatar’s role as a trusted mediator and the power of principled diplomacy in advancing peace and human dignity”.
Diane Foley, President and Founder of the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation, noted that Dr. Al-Khulaifi’s work reflects the principles championed by her late son, emphasising dialogue and respect for human dignity even in the most challenging conflicts.
“Dr Al-Khulaifi embodies that principle. His courage and skilful diplomacy have brought Americans home from places where hope seemed lost. Honouring him affirms the power of moral leadership to change lives and restore faith in our shared humanity,” concluded Diane.
James W.Foley legacy foundation
Conflict journalist James W. Foley was taken hostage by ISIS in 2012 while covering the Syrian civil war. His captors tortured and ultimately brutally murdered him in 2014.
James W. Foley Legacy Foundation was established within weeks of his death. Inspired by James Foley’s moral courage—the foundation advocates for American hostages and wrongful detainees held abroad and promotes journalist safety.
From Iran to Venezuela: Qatar’s mediation efforts
On March 24, 2025, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, received a phone call from the U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio thanking Qatar for facilitating the release of American citizen George Glezmann, who had been detained in Afghanistan.
During last visit to Qatar in May 2025, President Trump expressed his appreciation towards the consistent mediation efforts of Qatar that resulted in the release of the American hostage, Edan Alexander.
Earlier that year, Qatar had also mediated the release of two other Americans from Afghanistan in exchange for an Afghan citizen detained in the United States.
Qatar’s interventions extend beyond Afghanistan.
In 2023, former U.S President Joe Biden publicly thanked Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani for Doha’s pivotal role in securing the release of five Americans during a milestone prisoner swap with Iran.
In October 2023, Biden also thanked Qatar for facilitating the release of American mother and daughter Judith and Natalie Ra’anan from Gaza captivity.
Later in December 2023, Qatar mediated a successful prisoner swap between the United States and Venezuela, resulting in the release of ten American detainees in exchange for a Venezuelan prisoner.
The 2026 Foley Freedom Awards are scheduled to take place at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., on May 5, 2026.
