Trump Takes Sides in Gulf Rift, Backs Isolation of Qatar
- U.S. said to get little notice of move, but aware of tensions
- President’s tweet ‘fuels more conflict,’ analyst says
Trump Vows to Calm Gulf Flareup
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President Donald Trump threw his weight behind the Saudi-led diplomatic isolation of Qatar, calling it just punishment for the country’s financial support for Islamic extremists and taking sides in a dispute among key U.S. allies in the Persian Gulf.
“During my recent trip to the Middle East I stated there can no longer be funding of Radical Ideology,” Trump said on Twitter Tuesday. “Leaders pointed to Qatar - look!”