RantCrush Top 5: June 5, 2017

Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates shook the Gulf after the countries severed all ties with Qatar this morning. All travel routes will be cut off and borders closed. Diplomatic staff were sent home and airlines shut off service to the country. The Arab countries are accusing Qatar of supporting terror groups, but Qatar called the decision a “violation of its sovereignty.” Qatar’s Foreign Affairs Ministry said there was “no legitimate justification” for the decision. It denies all involvement with any terror-linked groups.

Qatar is a major sponsor of terrorism?

US has a major military base in Qatar, so ipso facto US is a major sponsor of terrorism.

— CJ Werleman (@cjwerleman) June 5, 2017

This comes only a few weeks after President Trump visited Saudi Arabia, and spoke about improving ties with the country. But Qatar is home to an airbase where the U.S. military’s Central Command is located. U.S. officials have not yet commented, and it’s unclear how this will affect Qatar’s relationship with the U.S. and the fight against the Islamic State. But tensions will likely increase in the area, and Qatar is set to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Emma Von Zeipel

Emma Von Zeipel is a staff writer at Law Street Media. She is originally from one of the islands of Stockholm, Sweden. After working for Democratic Voice of Burma in Thailand, she ended up in New York City. She has a BA in journalism from Stockholm University and is passionate about human rights, good books, horses, and European chocolate. Contact Emma at EVonZeipel@LawStreetMedia.com.