For the past two years American has been asking the federal government to crack down on flights to the U.S. by Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar. Along with Delta and United they want less competition and higher prices.
Inconveniently for American, however, they have maintained a codesharing relationship with Etihad as well as a frequent flyer partnership. And Qatar Airways is a member of the oneworld alliance with American, so they offer reciprocal mileage-earning and redemption and frequent flyer recognition.