Qatar before World Cup

I had the opportunity to visit Qatar prior to the World Cup in late October 2022. The airport was sparkling new, and the City State was readying for the crowds. As the first Arab host to the games, the people I spoke with beamed about the opportunity to show the world their accomplishments in modern urbanism. Many of the workers who helped build Qatar came from Nepal, which was why the only direct flights I could find from NYC to Kathmandu were indeed via Qatar Airlines. This alone was an economic boom for the economy of Nepal - direct lift on one of the finest airlines in the world. Every passenger I spoke with said going to Nepal was made easier by Qatar Air, and the fine international airport (with luxury shower facilities for your layover).

It's easy to criticism the development process, but in doing so we impose a bias which is unfair, even if we feel justified in doing so.