06-06-2017, 11:33 PM
(06-06-2017, 05:50 PM)Dill Wrote: The pretext is that Qatar is a "supporter of terrorism" and too cozy with Iran.
As a one-time resident of Qatar who still knows many people there, this one hits close to home. As I write, supermarkets are emptying of food. Iran is offering relief. The largest US base in the region is in Qatar, and until yesterday was one of the US' closest allies in the region. Sec. of Defense says this will not affect US operations in the region--But how could it not?? Both Defense and State are in full damage control mode.
What I find personally astounding is not only that Trump is taking credit for the crisis, but that it is driven by Saudi Arabia, the largest funding source of Sunni extremism in the last 40 years.
"Middle East freezes out Qatar: What you need to know"
http://www.cnn.com/2017/06/06/middleeast/qatar-middle-east-diplomatic-freeze/index.html
CNNIt's the biggest political crisis to hit the Middle East in years.
Qatari nationals are now officially on notice to leave neighboring countries within two weeks after an unprecedented diplomatic freeze of the nation by key allies and neighbors.
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Bahrain, Yemen and the Maldives said that from Tuesday they are indefinitely severing ties with Qatar --- a country of nearly 2.3 million people, mostly foreign workers.
....
Saudi Arabia has severed all land, sea and air links with Qatar, and the UAE has closed its airports and harbors to Qatari flights and shipping.
Etihad, Emirates, Fly Dubai and Gulf Air have halted all flights in and out of Doha, the Qatari capital. Qatar Airways says it's halting flights to Saudi Arabia.
Qatari diplomats have been given notice to leave their foreign posts.
Qatari citizens have been told they have 14 days to leave Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE, and those countries also banned their own citizens from entering Qatar.
"Foreign Relations chairman stunned by Trump's Qatar tweets"
http://thehill.com/policy/defense/336557-foreign-relations-chairman-stunned-silenced-by-trumps-qatar-tweets
Qatar row: Trump claims credit for isolation
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-40175935
"During my recent trip to the Middle East I stated that there can no longer be funding of Radical Ideology. Leaders pointed to Qatar - look!" Mr Trump tweeted on Tuesday.
He later tweeted: "So good to see the Saudi Arabia visit with the King and 50 countries already paying off. They said they would take a hard line on funding... extremism, and all reference was pointing to Qatar. Perhaps this will be the beginning of the end to the horror of terrorism!"
Looks like the Trumpster got taken on this one.
Slick move by the Saudis... to cut ties with Qatar post Trump visit accusing it of extremism, when the underlying reason is to stifle Qatars rising influence. Qatar is "getting out of line"....and filthy rich.
Below the link to a report with no slant that appears to just report the facts coupled with solid opinions , not that CNN trash you rely on.
It touches a lot what you said Dill, and may answer some of the questions you have.
It gives Trump some credit, but not for what Trump thinks he should be getting credit for:
The extreme action to cut ties may have been prompted by improved relations with the US since President Donald Trump took office.
Relations were less cosy when Barack Obama was leader due to differences of opinion on the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and the administration’s concerns about the civilian toll of the Saudi-led war in Yemen.
http://www.news.com.au/finance/work/leaders/why-saudi-arabia-and-six-other-countries-have-cut-ties-with-qatar/news-story/b758105a63a70df40b73211e0395d550
