The United States and its Western allies have vast economic and political interests in the Gulf. While Saudi Arabia is a key US ally, Qatar is home to the US military's largest air base in the region, Al-Udeid, rival Bahrain houses the US Navy Fifth Fleet. Cumulatively the Gulf region produces 20 percent of the global oil supplies. America appeared to be running with rabbits as well as hunting with hounds. While President Donald Trump welcomed the Arab states' decision to sever air and land links with Qatar, he credited his Middle East trip for this fiasco. However, the State Department took a more neutral position and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson embarked upon brokering a diplomatic solution.
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