Soon after President Trump’s first international visit to the region in June 2017, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) announced that member states would suspend relations with Qatar due to its alleged support for terrorism as well as its relations with Iran. The GCC has implemented a blockade of Qatar’s land, sea, and aerial borders. The GCC’s demands included, among others, the closure of a Turkish base in Qatar. Ever since, Turkey has tried to find a common ground and a diplomatic solution to the crisis while increasing its military presence in Qatar as a reassurance measure. The GCC has modified its initial list of demands following calls by the international community, including the US diplomats and military leaders, to defuse the crisis. The crisis has added to the already complicated sets of relations in the region and threatened to increase tensions and uncertainty.

The SETA Foundation at Washington DC cordially invites you to a panel discussion on the policy implications of the Gulf crisis in light of the critical role played by the U.S. and Turkey.

* A light lunch will be served